NHS England has issued an urgent health alert, after an infant was admitted to intensive care suffering from a confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease.Rob Boon, head of Legionella Control Internationals’ London team said: “Experts at Legionella Control International are working closely with our NHS and health sector clients to help them identify and assess any possible risks similar to those that led to this incredibly rare case.”
Samples taken from the heated birthing pool in which the child was born, have tested positive for legionella bacteria, which is thought to be directly linked to the baby’s serious lung infection. In light of the current situation, women across the UK have been warned against home water births and the use of heated birthing pools, until a complete risk assessment and management strategy have been put into place.
Professor Nick Phin, Public Health England’s head of Legionnaires' disease control, said: "This is an extremely unusual situation, which we are taking very seriously… As a precaution, we advise that heated birthing pools, filled in advance of labour and where the temperature is then maintained by use of a heater and pump, are not used in the home setting, while we investigate further and until definitive advice on disinfection and safety is available."
