The worried family of a Rutherglen sheltered accommodation resident is demanding answers after a resident contracted Legionnaires disease.
Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and is contracted when an individual breathes in small droplets of water in the air that contains the bacteria known as legionella.
The operators of the facility, Cairn Housing Association, have said there is no link to the home, but the family member has denied that the operators have shared any information with them. The family member, who wished to remain anonymous, has stated that most of the residents of Lochbrae Sheltered Housing in Rutherglen are at high risk if they come into contact with the disease, as most are in their 70s and 80s, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
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The family member said: "The residents have been left in the dark, we don't know if anyone has caught the disease or whether anyone has died from it because they (Cairn Housing Association) aren't giving us any information.
"All they've been doing regularly is checking the water supply and changing shower heads. They just keep putting shower heads on for a couple of days and then coming back and taking them away, continuously repeating the process.
"They're constantly turning the water off and changing shower heads."
They added: "This is becoming a concern to me, they're running chlorine through the system and residents were unable to use their waters for a day here and a day there because they're flushing it with chlorine and then the cold water is stinking, it's like being in a swimming bath, and then it's coming out the taps and showers in these properties.
"The complex is full of older people and no one is telling us what's going on. The bosses just keep saying there's a problem with the water."
Residents in the complex are being advised to boil their water before using it, according to the family member. They are also being told not to worry about the ongoing situation.
"Of course, I'm going to worry it's legionella. I'm worried about my dad and the rest of the residents in the complex. My mum and dad have been in there for 18 years and I believe it's been neglected over the last couple of years, especially due to Covid."
A spokesperson for Cairn Housing Association said: “In June this year, after one of the residents at Lochbrae tested positive for Legionnaire’s Disease, extensive testing was undertaken. Despite this, no link has been established to the Lochbrae development.
“As a precautionary measure, we’ve been working with Severn Trent Water and Public Health Scotland to undertake a thorough testing regimen at all properties in Lochbrae and have carried out works, including replacing shower heads in all 97 properties.
“We are pleased to report that there have been no other cases reported amongst residents but we are continuing to work with the relevant authorities to monitor the situation.”
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