Legionnaires' Disease Bacteria Found In Mpls. VA Hospital's Water
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Veterans Affairs officials say they've detected the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease in water samples at the Minneapolis hospital.
No illnesses have been reported. Officials at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis said routine testing on Nov. 19 found the bacteria in 5 of 40 water samples.
The hospital has fitted faucets and shower heads with filters and is flushing the water system.
Legionnaires' disease was first identified in 1976 after an outbreak at the American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Outbreaks reported in New York City and western Illinois killed more than 20 people and sickened hundreds more this summer.
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