According to the Deputy, during asbestos testing at the leisure complex earlier this year, checks were also carried out on the facility’s water system which revealed traces of the pathogen.
The minister made the revelation following a States question from Deputy Montfort Tadier, who asked if the complex was safe and what types of testing had been carried out.
He, and Senator Steve Pallett, also asked Deputy Lewis why he had not informed States Members and the public about the discovery until now.
Speaking about the outbreak, Deputy Lewis said: ‘The results showed the presence of legionella species. Therefore the area remains closed whilst chlorination of the system involved is undertaken, followed by reassurance testing of the water.
‘The microbiology results have identified the species as one of the lesser of the risk categories, meaning there is low risk to health.
‘The Health and Safety Inspectorate have been involved at all stages and have been provided with the microbiology results and are fully aware of the remedial action undertaken.’
Anyone who contracts legionnaire’s disease can suffer symptoms including high temperatures and diarrhoea, and signs of mental confusion, muscle pains and, in some cases, pneumonia can develop.
Deputy Tadier then asked Deputy Lewis if he had planned on telling the States and the public about the outbreak or if it was necessary for him to ask a question first, before anything was revealed.
Deputy Lewis responded: ‘There were so many people involved that it was more or less in the public domain and the Deputy, as was assistant minister [Senator Steve Pallett], was well aware of it, as are many other people, so it is not a secret.’
However, Senator Steve Pallett, assistant Economic Development Minister, then revealed that he had not been aware of the incident.
