Concerns started in November 2015 when a Florida Hospital patient tested positive for Legionella. Immediately after the positive test, the hospital notified the state’s health department, which then performed an environmental water assessment. On Jan. 13, the Department of Heath notified Florida Hospital that their water tested positive for Legionella.
However, the strain of Legionella in the patient does not match the strain found in the hospital’s water system.
In response to the positive test, Florida Hospital hired a water management firm to conduct an assessment and implement a comprehensive water management program. The hospital is also flushing the water system on its Orlando campus.
Legionella are found naturally in the environment, usually in warm water, and can cause Legionnaires’ disease when people breathe in contaminated water.
More articles on Legionnaires’ disease:
At least 87 Legionnaires’ cases, 10 deaths linked to Flint water crisis
Infection control in the US: 2015 year in review
How many more have to die before regulators take action on Legionnaires’ disease?
