HEALTH officials have identified 130 potential sites across Redditch which could be the source of the legionnaire's disease outbreak which has claimed one life.

Environmental health officers are working tirelessly to identify the source and will visit all 130 sites, carrying out tests if necessary.

So far, 55 samples have been sent off to labs in London and Birmingham and the results are expected within the next few days.

Joy Billingham, 62, of Hewell Road, Enfield, died from the disease on Wednesday and the incubation period of two to 14 days means more new cases could still come to light.

A 67-year-old woman, who was the first person to be diagnosed with the disease two weeks ago, is still in the intensive care unit at the Alexandra Hospital.

Her family have been keeping a bedside vigil.

The woman's husband of 43 years said her condition had not changed since she was admitted to hospital three weeks ago.

He said: "She had a fall but I think she already had this before. She was critically ill by the time the ambulance brought her here."

The family said they couldn't praise hospital staff enough for their support and care.

A third person, a man in his 50s, was released from the Alex on Monday evening after health officials confirmed on Friday he had the disease.

Redditch Council's director of environment and planning, Sue Hanley, said town firms were being urged to clean and disinfect their water cooling systems.

She said: "This will, in most cases, effectively kill off any harmful bacteria that might be present.

"However, the result of this might mean we never do identify the source of the outbreak.

"It's a small price to pay in the circumstances as our number one priority is to stop this disease from spreading and to protect the public's health."

Mrs Hanley said there were 29 registered sites in Redditch where certain types of water cooling systems required companies to register with the council.

At the weekend, more than 30 officers were out in Redditch identifying the other potential sources.

"The teams are working incredibly hard across all agencies to deal with this issue,'' said Mrs Hanley.

"We have had significant extra support form environmental health colleagues from Coventry, Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest.

"It is a very dedicated, pro-active piece of work which is undertaken because the public health issue is so important.

"We are doing everything we can to identify the source, as well as give advice," she added.

A helpline has been set up on 0845 0501720 and up until yesterday, 20 people had called it for advice.