AN investigation has been launched after three Scots contracted Legionnaires' disease.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) confirmed all the cases of the potentially fatal disease involved patients in their area.

All have received inpatient treatment at different hospitals.

Two have recovered and have been discharged. A third is responding well to treatment and remains in a stable condition in hospital.

The health board has now launched a probe into the possible source of the infection.

Dr Gillian Penrice, NHSGGC Consultant in Public Health, said: "There are always a small number of cases in the community every year. However, this rise in the number of cases so close together is unusual.

"As a result we have begun an investigation to examine if there is any potential common source or whether these cases are coincidental, albeit unusual."

An outbreak in Edinburgh at the end of last May was thought to have centred on a cluster of cooling towers. Three people died after contracting the illness and the total number of confirmed and suspected cases stood at over 100.

Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia spread in water vapour. Infection is caused by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. Experts say the Legionnella bacteria can travel for miles through the air.

Dr Penrice added: "We are working closely with our partners in local authorities, the Health and Safety Executive and Health Protection Scotland.

"It is important to remember Legionella cannot be spread from person to person. It is an uncommon bacterial infection.

"Legionella bacteria is sometimes found in water and can be spread through aerosols produced from water, such as air conditioning and showers and it cannot be contracted by drinking contaminated water."

The symptoms and signs of Legionnaires' disease include a headache, fever, dry cough, breathing difficulties, stomach pains and diarrhoea and can begin any time from between two and 14 days after exposure to the bacteria.

Dr Penrice advised anyone with symptoms to contact NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 or their own GP.