Trainee officers at the Scottish Police College in Fife have been put on alert after routine testing detected a Legionnaire’s outbreak.
The potentially deadly bacteria was identified in the waterworks at Tulliallan, Kincardine.
Around 300 probationary officers were sworn in at the college earlier this month, but no one has fallen ill as a result of the bacteria.
The latest cohort of trainees, sworn in on November 10, are currently on the intense initial 11-week training course.
Chief Inspector Rachael Burns said: “On Wednesday routine testing detected traces of Legionnaire’s disease in five shower heads at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan.
“The shower heads are being replaced and contingency plans are in place.”
What is Legionnaire’s?
Legionnaire’s disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria.
In April, The Courier revealed a man in Newburgh, Fife, had died from the disease.
The NHS says the disease is not usually spread human-to-human in the same way as other illnesses such as Covid-19.
The bug is common in low numbers in natural sources of water like rivers but can also grow in air conditioning systems, waterworks and swimming pools.
It’s usually caught when someone inhales water droplets when showering or using taps with an infected water supply.
