Family contracts ‘potentially fatal disease’ after using a hot tub at popular Welsh holiday resort
- More than one member of the family was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease
- The resort has apologised to the family and said it was an ‘isolated incident’
- Legionnaires is a lung infection caused by inhaling affected droplets of water
A family contracted a ‘potentially fatal’ disease after using a hot tub at a popular Welsh resort.
The family fell ill after using the hot tub at Dylan Coastal Resort in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, in June.
They were staying at the resort and more than one member of the family was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease – a lung infection which people can develop from inhaling affected droplets of water.
They have since been treated and are recovering from the condition and have received an apology from management at the resort who have said it was an ‘isolated incident’.
The hot tub has been taken away from the resort and a review of water quality management has been carried out since the incident came to light.
A family contracted Legionnaires’ disease after using a hot tub at Dylan Coastal Resort in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, in June
The family have since been treated and are recovering from the condition and have received an apology from management at the resort who have said it was an ‘isolated incident’
Carmanthenshire Council said the environmental health section of the council are aware of the situation and investigations are ongoing
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Legionnaires’ disease ‘is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection’.
The HSE added that: ‘The bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria are common in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs but usually in low numbers.
‘They may also be found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold water systems, and spa pools.
‘If conditions are favourable the bacteria may grow, increasing the risks of Legionnaires’ disease, and it is therefore important to control the risks by introducing appropriate measures.’
A spokesman for Dylan Coastal Resort said: ‘We can confirm that bacteria was detected in a hot tub at one of our resort lodges last month.
‘This was a one-off incident and we moved immediately to address the issue, liaising and working closely with the environmental health team at Carmarthenshire Council.
‘The hot tub in question has been taken offsite and a review has been carried out of the water quality management operations across the entire resort.
‘This review has also included assessments and further training for members of staff responsible for this operation so as to ensure this never happens again.
‘We have apologised to the family concerned who stayed at the lodge and we have emphasised that this was an isolated incident related to a single hot tub.
‘It is the first time an occurrence like this has happened.
‘The safety and wellbeing of our guests is of the paramount importance to us and we continually update our procedures to ensure we meet the highest of health and safety standards.’
Carmarthenshire councillor Ann Davies, cabinet member for planning policy and rural affairs, said: ‘The environmental health section of the council are aware of the situation and investigations are ongoing.’
