The World - News from May 8, 1988

An outbreak of legionnaire’s disease at the British Broadcasting Corp.’s headquarters in London has increased to 19 confirmed cases and 45 suspected cases, the BBC said. Forty-one people are hospitalized, nine in serious condition, a BBC spokeswoman said. Doctors said they expect more cases to develop in the next few days but believe there is no further risk of infection. Legionnaire’s disease, which produces symptoms similar to pneumonia, is often caused by bacteria from water-cooled air conditioning units. The BBC said the air systems in its main Broadcasting House and nearby Duchess Street building were disinfected recently.