TESTS are being carried out to determine if Queen Mary’s Hospital at Sidcup is the source of two cases of Legionnaire's disease.

Health workers have identified three cases of the disease in the South East London area, with two of the patients being employed at Queen Mary’s.

But while health officials are stressing that a definite link between the three cases and the hospital cannot be made, Queen Mary’s chief executive Kate Grimes has admitted sample tests at the hospital have came back as positive.

She said: “We have been informed by the Health Protection Agency that there have been three cases of Legionnaire's disease in the area recently, including two members of our staff.

“Samples taken from a small number of locations in the hospital have tested positive for Legionella pneumophila.

“Whilst it is possible that our water supply systems have been the cause of these two infections, the bacteria Legionella pneumophila can occur in many different water systems.

"We have immediately taken independent advice and as a precautionary measure undertaken disinfection of our water, water systems, taps and shower heads. We are also monitoring our water systems regularly.

“We are working with the Agency and are, of course, continuing to monitor our systems to ensure that they are safe. We will act on any further information available to us to ensure the continuing safety of all staff, patients and visitors.”

Two of the patients are now receiving treatment in an unidentified hospital, and the third is recovering at home.

*If patients or visitors of Queen Mary’s Hospital are concerned they can call the hospital’s infection control team on 020 8308 2678.