A warning has been issued over the high number of confirmed Legionnaires' disease cases in the Vale of Glamorgan over the last ten months.
The source of the disease is unknown and there is no evidence that shows the nine cases are linked but the number is highly unusual for one area.
On average, there are around 30 cases of legionnaires' disease in the whole of Wales each year.
Legionnaires disease is a rare but potentially life threatening lung infection that you can catch by inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning, hot tubs, and spa pools.
Deaths may occur in approximately 10-15% of otherwise healthy individuals.
You may also inhale the bacteria from other sources of water like showers, taps and toilets.
Symptoms include a 'flu-like' illness with a rapid fever, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, loss of appetite, breathlessness and chest pain.
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur.
An outbreak of legionnaires disease in Wales in 2010 had multiple sources , including a case that was contracted at hospital .
In 1999 two people died during another outbreak linked to a luxury hotel's buffet unit.
The bacteria lives in fresh water environments such as rivers and streams.
From these sources, they gain entry to water systems such as humidifiers, cooling towers for air conditioning, and the hot and cold water systems used in hospitals, hotels, offices, spa pools and houses.
The bacteria only becomes a health risk if the water system is not properly designed and maintained, when the water temperature allows the bacteria to multiply rapidly.
Treatment for Legionnaires' disease include antibiotics directly into a vein, oxygen through a face mask or nose tube or a machine to help you breath.
Public Health Wales are urging employers in the area to ensure they follow legionella policies to reduce the risk of the disease.
You can reduce the risk of Legionnaires disease by regularly flushing through or removing unused taps and shower heads, draining water bowsers and garden hoses if not in use, and using commercial screen washes in your vehicle.
Dr Gwen Lowe, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for Public Health Wales, said: "Cases of legionnaires' disease are usually spread throughout Wales.
"This year there have been 10 cases of Legionella across Wales to date, two of which have been in the Vale of Glamorgan. In 2018, there were seven cases in this area.
“We are closely monitoring this situation, continue to investigate cases, and will keep the status of this incident under review."
