A MAN in his 70s who was diagnosed yesterday (Monday) suffering from Legionnaires' Disease has brought the total number of confirmed cases linked to Herefordshire to 23.
Andrew Tector, Herefordshire Council's head of Environmental Health, said: ''We have recived a positive result of the type of Legionella that can cause the disease from the HP Bulmer site in Plough Lane. The test has demonstrated the continued contamination of a cooling tower following the initial cleansing by HP Bulmer. The tower was shut down on November 12 and has been subject to rigorous cleansing under the supervision of the Health and Safety Executive.''
Dr Brian McCloskey, regional head of the Helath Protection Agency, said: ''Although we still cannot be certain that plant on the HP Bulmer site is responsible for this outbreak, mapping of cases and their movements is showing a pattern consistent with a source within an area which includes the HP Bulmer site.''
He added: ''New cases are not unexpected. Milder cases of Legionnaires' Disease are being picked up due to heightened awareness and testing by medical staff.''
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