THE UK's Health Protection Agency is investigating a surge in the number of cases of legionnaires' disease since the beginning of August. Reports have been received from all regions in England and Wales and include both cases acquired in the UK and abroad.
Between August 1 and September 12, 127 cases were reported, compared to a total of 63 cases last August.

Since the start of 2006 a total of 273 cases have been reported compared to 205 up to the end of August in 2005.
Dr Carol Joseph who is leading the investigation for the Agency said, 'It is usual to see an upsurge in cases of legionnaires' disease at this time of year, however we would normally expect more cases to be associated with travel abroad and only a small proportion of these recent cases have travelled outside of the UK.'