Humidifier fever on a Type 42 destroyer.

In 1981, the description of symptoms widespread among his messmates by a Leading Seaman admitted to hospital with pneumonia led to an epidemiological and clinical investigation on board HMS SHEFFIELD, a Type 42 destroyer. It was concluded that all the members of one mess deck were affected by humidifier fever. Simple advice which was given to CINCFLEET staff to keep air conditioning systems running during refits and prolonged maintenance periods is believed to have prevented a recurrence on other ships.