Pregnant women have been urged to avoid using high-tech home birthing pools after it emerged that a new-born baby contracted Legionnaire’s disease from one of the devices.
The pools have built in heaters and recirculation pumps – but can contain water that has been in the pool for as long as two weeks.
The devices are intended to keep the pool warm in readiness for a woman giving birth.
The affected baby is now in receiving intensive care in hospital.
Legionnaire’s disease flourishes in stagnant, warm water and traditionally has been spread by air cooling systems.
Professor Nick Phin, of Public Health England, said: “This is an extremely unusual situation, which we are taking very seriously.
"As a precaution, we advise that heated birthing pools, filled in advance of labour and where the temperature is then maintained by use of a heater and pump, are not used in the home setting, while we investigate further and until definitive advice on disinfection and safety is available."
Louise Silverton, of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “Any women with concerns about using home birthing pools should contact their midwife or local maternity unit.”
Carmel Bagnass, a midwife adviser at the Royal College of Nursing, said: “This is a highly unusual situation and it is right that the proper precautions are taken, but women should be assured that this alert does not apply to home pools which are filled at the time of labour or fixed pools in NHS units, which do not pose the same risk."
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