Legionella bug: Cardiff's Eastern High School remains closed

Eastern High School in Cardiff has been shut since last Wednesday after the legionella discovery

A new "super school" will be closed again to pupils on Tuesday, after the bug responsible for Legionnaires' disease was found at the site.

Eastern High School in Cardiff closed last Wednesday after routine tests found traces of legionella.

The school, bringing together 1,500 pupils from Rumney and Llanrumney high schools, had only been open for two days before it shut.

Officials say arrangements have been made for lessons to be held off site.

They insist the bacteria discovery is a "low risk" to health.

A spokesperson for the school said: "Eastern High will need to remain closed on Tuesday in order for essential maintenance work to be continued following the discovery of legionella bacteria during a routine test at the school.

"Work is continuing on the school's water system, and we expect the school to open on Wednesday, September 18th. We will give a further update on this on Tuesday."

Pupils in years 7 and 11 will be collected by bus from tennis courts at Eastern High School at 08:30 BST and taken to Llanedeyrn High School site on Tuesday.

They will be dropped off outside Eastern High at 15:20 BST.

School work will continue to be posted on the school's website for Years 8, 9 and 10 to follow.

Public Health Wales was notified of the discovery and confirmed last week that it was not investigating any cases of Legionnaires' disease.

The bacteria is commonly found in the natural environment. It only becomes a health risk when it is able to multiply in a closed environment, later being inhaled in water droplets.

The Legionnaires' infection can lead to a potentially fatal strain of pneumonia.

However, the bug can be easily controlled through chlorination of water storage areas.

Staff at Eastern High said the school closure on Monday would be taken as an in-school training day for teachers, replacing a date initially set aside for 25 October.