Specialists from Britain’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases linked to north and southwest London.
The public health body is working to discover whether the cases are linked and to establish their possible source.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe pneumonia, which is caught by breathing in tiny droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria.
These usually come from sources such as air conditioning systems, showers and taps which are not properly designed, installed or maintained.
To become infected with the disease, Legionella bacteria in the air have to be inhaled as tiny water droplets from a contaminated source.
The wider risk to public health is low as the disease is not usually passed from person to person, however.
Janice Lo, a health protection consultant at UKHSA London, said: “At this stage, a common source has not yet been confirmed, but we are undertaking further investigations, with partners, that will provide us with more information.
“Legionella bacteria is widely distributed in the environment and can multiply in large water systems within buildings. It is important that water systems are properly maintained with regular testing and treatment to ensure that bacteria do not multiply and cause a risk to health.
“Signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include a flu-like illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, dry cough and fever, and people with these symptoms should call NHS 111 or their GP for medical advice.”
The disease is routinely treated with antibiotics, Ms Lo added.
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In 2023, asylum seekers were removed from the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset after Legionella bacteria was found in the vessel’s water system.
At the time, the Home Office said all that 39 migrants on board would be disembarked as a “precautionary measure”.
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In 2019, two British holidaymakers who had stayed at the same hotel in Bulgaria died from Legionnaires’ disease shortly after returning to the UK.
John Cowan, 43, and Brian Taylor, 75, both stayed at the Hotel Kalofer in Sunny Beach, a resort on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.
Mr Taylor’s stepson, Martin Farrell, said his stepfather was “very independent” and he was “fighting fit” before he went on holiday.
