Residents Relocated After Legionella Detected in Agnes Blackadder Hall

The University of St Andrews has temporarily closed Agnes Blackadder Hall, following the detection of Legionella in the building’s water system. 

In an email sent to recent guests and workers at the hall of residence, the University said that elevated levels of Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease (a severe form of pneumonia), had been detected during routine testing. 

Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by people inhaling contaminated water droplets from outlets of water systems like air conditioning units, hot tubs, taps, and showers. 

In the email, Ben Stuart, Director of Residential Business Services confirmed the closure was a precautionary measure taken “to allow for thorough cleaning of the water system.” Dr Duncan Fortescue-Webb, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the East Region Health Protection Service, co-signed the communication, noting that the “overall risk to individuals is very low.”

A University spokesperson told The Courier, “there is no outbreak of Legionnaires Disease, the building hasn’t been evacuated, and no one is ill.” They added that residents were moved to alternative accommodation in St Andrews while remedial work is carried out. According to the spokesperson, most individuals experienced minimal disruption to their plans under the circumstances.

The University states it is currently cleaning the building’s water systems and will conduct further testing before reopening. 

The email advised anyone who develops symptoms in the weeks following their stay at Agnes Blackadder Hall to contact their GP or NHS 24 on 111 if they become unwell. 

Further information is available at nhsinform.scot,or by contacting the East Region Health Protection Team at: eos.eastregionhpt@nhs.scot or 0300 790 6264.

Image from Wikimedia Commons