Germs that can cause the potentially fatal Legionnaires' disease has been detected in the water supply at a Scots hospital.
NHS Lanarkshire has confirmed that legionella bacteria has been found in the hot water system of one of the buildings at University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. The health board says the bacteria is isolated in the hot water system.
Engineers are fitting filters hot water taps and shower outlets to limit the spread of the infection until it dies out. In the meantime, health chiefs are insisting the bacteria does not pose a threat to patient safety or to the quality of drinking water, which comes from a different source.
There is no suggestion at this time that the bacteria has spread to anyone in the hospital. Legionella normally spreads via tiny droplets of water in the air, typically through sources such as air conditioner units, humidifiers and taps and showers that have not been used often.
However, this is the second time that legionella bacteria has been discovered in Monklands in less than two years. The bug was identified in cold water sources within two wards and a dialysis unit in September 2021.
Karen Goudie, chief of nursing services at Monklands, said: “Following routine water sampling, legionella bacteria has been detected in the hot water system of the west tower at University Hospital Monklands. The cold water system is not affected and does not present risk in terms of safety of drinking water.
"No patients have been affected by the findings. All standard infection prevention and control measures are in place to keep staff and patients safe.
"This includes fitting filters on washbasins and shower outlets to ensures the water is safe for use. We will continue to test the hot water until we have full sets of negative samples and the filters remaining in place for as long as required.”
If inhaled, legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires' disease, a type of pneumonia. Symptoms include coughs, fevers and breathing problems.
If untreated, it can be fatal, but normally responds well to a course of antibiotics. It was named after its first known outbreak in 1976, when 29 people died of the previously unknown form of pneumonia following an American Legion conference in Philadelphia, USA.
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