Legionnaires bacteria found in Newtownabbey special needs school

HILL CROFT Special School is to remain shut this week as further investigations are carried out at the building in Newtownabbey, Co  Antrim where bacterium which can cause Legionnaires’ disease has been discovered.

The school closed on Friday and will remain shut for at least a week while further tests are carried out.

The bacterium was found in a disused shower block at the school.

Ray Gilbert of the North Eastern Education and Library Board said the system was flushed out at the weekend.

He said that work had been done to descale and disinfect the water system, and further tests would be carried out on Monday.

“The analysis of the samples takes up to 10 days but after five or six days you get an indication as to whether or not there is significant bacteria present,” he said.

“If there is a significant growth at that point in time, obviously, for safety reasons it has to be treated as potential Legionella.”

He said the school was hopeful of getting results of the samples by next Monday.

Meanwhile, steps are being taken to keep in contact with parents and decide if the children can be taught elsewhere or work sent home.

In a statement at the weekend, the board said: “We would like to reassure anyone who may be concerned that the area where the bacterium was found has not been in use by the pupils or staff at the school.”

“The parents of pupils attending Hillcroft Special School have been notified by the principal and we will continue to work closely with the school, the Public Health Agency and the Health & Safety Executive to resolve this issue as quickly as possible”.