An Edinburgh hospital has been placed under lockdown following the discovery of dangerous bacteria.
NHS Lothian leaders took the decision to close the Royal Edinburgh Hospital after Legionella bacteria was detected in the Kennedy Tower. Staff members at the facility have been moved to different locations while authorities closely monitor the situation. It was clarified that the Kennedy Tower has not been occupied by patients for an extended period.
The presence of legionella bacteria in the water system of the Kennedy Tower was identified during routine building management and water quality checks, according to Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Lothian.
The closure of the building comes amidst a concerning trend in Scotland, where reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease have more than tripled over the past three years, as highlighted by recent data from Public Health Scotland. Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection that can be contracted by inhaling droplets from sources such as air conditioning systems or hot tubs.
Although cases of the disease declined to 16 in 2021, the numbers increased to 44 in 2022, 53 in 2023, and further rose to 57 in 2024. Notably, Edinburgh experienced a significant outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 2012, resulting in four fatalities and hospital admissions for 45 individuals. The outbreak affected nearly 100 people, with over 1,000 reporting possible symptoms, particularly in the south-west of Edinburgh. The exact source of the outbreak remained unidentified, and no legal actions or inquiries were initiated.
Legionnaires’ disease is commonly associated with environments like hotels, hospitals, or offices where the bacteria can contaminate the water supply. Symptoms of the disease include difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, high fever, and flu-like signs. Individuals suspecting they have contracted Legionnaires’ disease are advised to seek urgent medical attention.