I researched this previously and found it was also called Pontiac fever. The exposure to the bacteria can be reduced by dampening down compost to reduce the dust produced, having dry compost may be the reason the disease is more prevelent in hotter climates. Although do not soak the compost as the bacteria may be released in the water droplets. There is little evidence disease can be transferred between humans although the bacteria may be transferred so a good hand washing regime should be put in place.

My wife and my boss both heard this on the news this morning and were quite excited about it! Actually this isn't as such anything 'new' and the (minimal) risk of this has been known about for quite some time. Strangley enough, I have spent half the weekend planting out my summer bedding. In a current 'drought area, geraniums (or are they pelargoniums?) are this years top tip!!! "The risk from exposure to this species is likely to be very low for the healthy and younger population but there is insufficient data to properly quantify the extent of the risk that compost and potting soils may pose. Evidence from Australia suggests that avoiding inhalation of dust or moisture droplets and good standards of personal hygiene when handling compost and soil may reduce the risk of Legionnaires' disease.". (HPA website) If I recall correctly there may even be potential ROE via cuts etc but happy to be corrected on that one. Like JJP, I won't be losing to much sleep over this one.

Thanks Phil I assumed that this was new to the UK and there was no standard guidance about. I'll have to read through the 120 pages report before deciding on what action to take.