Garden centres in the Scottish region are offering advice to customers in the wake of investigations into the link between possible contaminated bags of compost and confirmed cases of Legionella longbeachae.
NHS Lothian confirmed that it is currently investigating four cases of Legionella longbeachae linked to gardening compost. Two patients are currently being treated in intensive care in hospital, while two other patients have been discharged from hospital. Reports in the local press suggest that a further case of Legionella reported in Tayside, Scotland, is also being linked to the investigation.

The Growing Media Association (GMA)has issued a statement, saying that it is, "aware of the recent outbreak of Legionella longbeachae in Scotland, which is reportedly from contaminated bagged growing media," adding that the organisation is in contact with NHS Lothian and has offered its full support with the investigation into the source of the contamination.

The association explains, until the most recent outbreak, there had been only 12 reported cases of Legionella potentially connected to the longbeachae microbe in Great Britain since 1990 - with only three of those cases thought to be related to gardening. However, it still has to take the present situation seriously, adding that, "the growing media industry is committed to acting in a responsible manner".

Merryhatton Garden Centre in East Lothian has followed advice issued by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and GMA, passing the information about handling growing media onto its customers.

Manager Lorraine Hunter told DIY Week: "We've followed the advice issued by the official associations and have been told that the risk is very low. Those at most risk are people who are gardening indoors, who are over 55 and who smoke or have underlying health problems. We have made the information available to our customers and pinned the guidelines up in full view by our tills but explain that the general view of the HTA and GMA is that the risk of severe disease is low. People just need to use common sense and follow sensible precautions, like using gloves and washing their hands after gardening, particular before consuming food."

She added that the investigation is not having an impact on compost sales: "Customers are aware of the situation because we have had a few commenting that they have read it in the paper but it's not stopped anyone buying compost or going about their day-to-day business."

The GMA said it had conducted a global analysis of the situation to inform the appropriate policy on handling and labelling advice in April this year. The conclusion of the analysis, which was assessed by an independent microbiologist, "was that the extremely low incidence rate would make it disproportionate to apply warning labels to bagged growing media", said the association. "Instead, labelling should promote good hygiene practice, including the importance of hand washing after all gardening activities, particularly before eating and drinking. This is standard practice for GMA manufacturers."

Homebase, which operates garden centres in its stores throughout Scotland, has echoed these sentiments. A spokesperson for the company said: "Our growing media suppliers are members of the GMA and are in direct contact with the investigations team in Scotland... We fully support the advice being given by the Horticultural Trades Association and bags of our own-brand growing media carry on pack advice to wear gloves when handling the product and washing hands after gardening activity."