A health spa by the seaside has been told to close after an outbreak of the potentially fatal Legionnaires' disease left nine guests in hospital.
Health chiefs said 14 people were diagnosed with the infection after their stays at Healax Salt Caves in Bournemouth, Dorset.
Of those, nine guests' symptoms were so severe they were rushed to hospital.
One woman became "violently ill" 24 hours after using the spa's hot tub and a man reported a smell of "damp and urine" coming from the jacuzzi.
Now Public Health England (PHE), Bournemouth Council and Public Health Dorset have decided to close the spa.
Dr Fiona Neely, outbreak control team lead and consultant in health protection at Public Health England, said: "We understand there will be concern among people who visited Healax Salt Caves and Spa, whether or not they have become ill, and we would like to reassure those affected that all immediate public health action has been taken.
"Thankfully, in all cases of illness that have been reported to PHE to date, those affected are now recovering from their illnesses."
The clients who visited the spa between June 1 and the 18, when health experts believe the risk of infection to have occurred, have been contacted by PHE with advice.
Paul Wetton, 42, visited the spa on June 16 with his wife Angela.
Although he has been given the all clear for Legionnaires' disease, the project manager has been diagnosed with Pontiac fever, which is a milder flu-like illness caused by Legionella bacteria.
"The conditions in the spa were terrible and rather than improve our health we both developed chest infections and I became very ill," Paul, of Bournemouth, said.
""I should have known something was wrong when I saw it was next to an off-licence and a chippy. When you walked in there was this strong smell, it smelt of urine and damp. I'd never been in a salt spa before so I thought this must be what they smell like, as it is a sea water jacuzzi.
"We only stayed in the jacuzzi for half an hour then left, as it wasn't enjoyable."
He added: "The following night I got a fever and my breathing went bad.
"I ended up having two or three days off work and my wife had similar symptoms but not as bad."
A statement on the Facebook page of Healax Salt Caves apologised for any inconvenience caused by their closure.
