TWO more deaths are being linked to the country's largest ever Legionnaire's Disease outbreak that hit Furness last year.

If post-mortem examinations reveal the disease contributed to the death of two Barrow pensioners who died over the Christmas period it will bring the number of fatalities during the town's outbreak to nine.

The two latest suspected victims were hospitalised after catching the disease in August. They were released after receiving treatment but died during the festive period.

Furness coroner Ian Smith has asked for post-mortems to be carried out to find out if the disease contributed to their deaths.

If evidence proves it was, their names will be added to the police investigation being headed by Detective Inspector Keith Churchman.

Cumbria police press officer Mike Head confirmed Mr Smith has asked for the post-mortems to be carried out. "If the results show legionnaires' was linked, their details will be included in the police inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the outbreak," he said.

Experts have blamed the outbreak on a faulty air conditioning system in Barrow's Forum 28. If the police investigation concludes the system was not maintained properly, owners of the arts venue Barrow Borough Council could face corporate manslaughter charges.

The publication of the report has been delayed because laboratory work involving hundreds of blood tests has only just finished. It is expected to be released in February and will outline what caused the outbreak and the lessons that can be learned from it.

During the outbreak five people died in Furness General Hospital, Barrow, and a further 150 were treated after becoming infected with the disease. A further two deaths were added to the investigation in November when post-mortem examinations revealed the disease may have contributed to their deaths. They had both been treated for the disease but died after being released from hospital.

January 10, 2003 14:30