A KILLER bug alert has gone out to 16 Herefordshire tourists who stayed at a Somerset hotel.

A nationwide hunt is under way for up to 100 people who stayed at Cricket St Thomas Hotel and Leisure Centre, Chard, last month, after the deadly Legionnaires bug was found in a spa tub.

Yesterday, the Evening News discovered a party of 16 from Herefordshire had been located after the alarm was raised on Saturday.

Three cases of the disease have already been diagnosed. Two of those have been discharged from hospital but a woman from Kent is still undergoing treatment.

Hotel spokeswoman Sarah Gallo confirmed yesterday the 16 guests from Herefordshire, who booked in on Valentine's Day for a three-day stay, had been contacted and urged to visit their doctor.

Somerset NHS communications chief Paul Courtney stressed anyone who visited the 400-bed hotel's leisure centre should contact their doctor immediately.

"They may be displaying cold or flu symptoms such as fever, chills and a cough but not be receiving appropriate treatment.

Diarrhoea

"Other symptoms include muscle aches, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite and occasionally diarrhoea can occur," he said.

The incubation period for the disease is up to 21 days. It cannot be transmitted from person to person.

Mr Courtney added public health experts were still analysing water samples but were certain the strain was lurking in the spa tub.

The spa tub and surrounding showers have been closed while investigations continue. The rest of the hotel's water has received a clean bill of health from experts.

The Somerset Health Protection Unit was informed of the first case of the disease on Tuesday, February 25. A second case was identified two days later. When a third case came to light on Tuesday, March 6, it started to track down all guests.

Six weeks ago, the Evening News revealed how the killer bug was blamed for the death of a Bransford woman.

Ann Bristow, aged 58, of New House Cottages, was believed to have contracted Legionnaires' disease while showering on holiday in Majorca last November.

Worcestershire Coroner Victor Round recorded an open verdict at the inquest on January 28 but said Legionnaires was the most likely cause of death.