Man dies in Legionnaires' outbreak
One man has died and 15 people are in a critical condition in hospital following an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.
A further 15 suspected cases are being investigated in Edinburgh, NHS Lothian said.
The health board said the patient who died was in his 50s and had underlying health conditions. He was being being treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Thirteen men and two women aged between 33 and 74 are in a critical condition with the disease and are being treated in intensive care in hospitals in the Lothian area. One man has recovered and has been discharged.
A further 10 men and five women are also being treated in hospitals but their illness has not yet been confirmed.
The majority of the confirmed cases are linked geographically to the Dalry, Gorgie and Saughton areas in the south west of the Scottish capital.
Dr Duncan McCormick, consultant in public health medicine and chairman of the incident management team, said: "I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of the patient that died.
"Investigations into the possible source of this outbreak are on-going. Meanwhile, medical staff have been actively identifying possible cases to allow us to ascertain the full extent of this outbreak.
"I would like to reassure the public that household water supplies are safe and that Legionnaires' disease cannot be contracted by drinking water.
"Older people, particularly men, heavy smokers and those with other health conditions, are at greater risk of contracting the disease. I would urge anyone who develops symptoms of Legionnaires' disease to contact NHS 24 or their GP."
