Guest catches 'potentially fatal' lung disease after using hot tub at popular resort

A guest at a busy holiday resort in Wales fell ill with a lung infection after using a hot tub - the incident is said to be 'isolated' with a review of the water quality underway

A holidaymaker contracted a "potentially fatal" infection after taking a dip in a hot tub at a popular Welsh resort.

The guest was diagnosed with legionnaires' disease following their stay at Dylan Coastal Resort in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, last month.

An apology has been issued to the unidentified person, who is currently recovering from treatment following the lung infection.

Legionnaires' disease can be caught by inhaling infected droplets of water and can travel around in purpose-built water systems.

Management at the resort has reassured guests that it was a "one-off incident" and said the hot tub has since been taken away.

They confirmed a review of water quality management has been carried out following the incident, reports Wales Online.

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 told The Mirror: “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.”

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