Britain's Worst Outbreak: 131 Cases, 4 Deaths; July 2002

Legionnaires' disease has been confirmed in 131 people who had been in or around the center of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria in July. Nearly 330 others received hospital treatment for Legionnaires'-like symptoms. Four have died; an 88-year-old man and three women aged 54, 56, and 76. The death toll may actually be five. A mother of four in her 50s, who contracted Legionnaires' in early August and was discharged from the hospital after an apparent recovery, died at her home about two weeks later. But a hospital official said her death could not be definitely related to the Legionella infection. Investigators said that the source was "beyond all reasonable doubt" the air conditioning plant at the town's arts and civic centre. Legionella were found in the cooling water. Source: various news media.