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Number of UK Legionnaires’ cases rises to 51

Topics: From the Wires,

Number of UK Legionnaires' cases rises to 51A general view of the city of Edinburgh, with Edinburgh Castle in the background as the number of confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease following a deadly outbreak rises Thursday June 7, 2012. Health officials in Scotland say there are now 51 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in an outbreak that has left one man dead. Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon reported the latest number of cases in the Edinburgh-area outbreak to Scotland’s Parliament on Thursday. (AP Photo/David Cheskin/PA Wire) UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE (Credit: AP)

LONDON (AP) — Health officials have confirmed 51 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Scotland, an outbreak that has left one man dead.

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon reported the latest number of cases in the Edinburgh-area to Scotland’s Parliament on Thursday.

She said cases had risen by 24 overnight. Another 27 people are suspected of having the illness, which is contracted by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated with Legionella bacteria. The symptoms are similar to those of flu, including coughs, fever and chills.

The bacteria can end up in artificial water supply systems, including air conditioning units, water services and cooling towers.

Sturgeon warned that the number of people affected could continue to rise over the next week.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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