BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - Indiana University Health says two patients have died at the network’s University Hospital after contracting the bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease.
IU Health officials said Tuesday the patients died within the past month from pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. Both had conditions that compromised their immune systems.
Medical director of infection control Dr. Douglas Webb says it’s not known if the patients were infected in the hospital located at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in downtown Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis Star reports (https://indy.st/LNey37 ) hospital officials say they’ve taken steps to clean out the hospital’s water supply.
Legionnaire’s disease is contracted by inhaling small water droplets tainted with the bacteria, which can end up in artificial water supply systems such as air conditioning units and cooling towers.
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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, https://www.indystar.com
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