Legionnaire’s disease

At the time of writing, the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Barrow-in-Furness has led to more than 130 people hospitalised and four deaths. The focus of infection has been identified as the air conditioning system in civic buildings, and malfunction, maintenance error, state of repair or age (30 years) are under investigation. The technical manager in charge has been suspended. Chief executive of Barrow Council, Tom Campbell, has said that the council would accept full responsibility should any council worker be found to have been negligent. It is co-operating with Health & Safety inspectors and the police. Cumbria Constabulary has stated it is not ruling out eventual charges of corporate manslaughter against the council.