Two patients treated at University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle have been infected with Legionella bacteria, and local health officials are investigating the cases, reports The Seattle Times.
Both patients were treated in UWMC's cardiac units, but the source of the infections has not been detected, according to the report. The first case was reported Aug. 26, and public health officials said the patient may have been exposed to the bacteria either at the hospital or in the community. For the second case, reported Tuesday, the patient was at the medical center for the entire exposure time period, according to the report.
One patient has been discharged from the hospital, and the other is being treated for the infection, according to the report.
Meredith Li-Vollmer, a spokesperson for Seattle and KingCounty public health, told The Seattle Times UWMC hired a specialist to examine its heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Legionella can be found in man-made water systems, including air-conditioning units and water tanks and heaters. In the past year, Legionella bacteria was found in the water system at Wake Forest Baptist Health Lexington (N.C.) Medical Center and water tanks at Pittsburgh-based Allegheny General Hospital.
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