In January 2003 the presence of asbestos was identified, although tests were regularly run to ensure it was not airborne.

BBC: The leisure centre attracted over 750,000 visitors a year

Dr Gerard said that although his department at Gatwick regularly screened immigrants and asylum seekers for TB that they had not so far encountered any of the rarer illnesses such as Ebola or Lassa Fever, but he said they were alert to the threat.

BBC: GPs warned to be ready for smallpox