Patient Diagnosed With Legionnaires' Disease: Boston VA Hospital

BOSTON — The VA Hospital in Boston has announced that a patient has been diagnosed with Legionnaires disease. The hospital is tracing the patient's movements within in the hospital and testing the water for the bacteria that causes the illness.

"VA Boston has diagnosed one of its inpatients with LD and is following strict protocols to learn whether this patient contracted LD while in the hospital," according to a press release.

The new case follows other outbreaks in the Commonwealth and in New Hampshire.

The risk of the disease increases when weather is warm and humid, according to a VA Spokeswoman.

The VA said it tests the water quarterly as a preventive measure and meets industry standards when it comes to prevention. The hospital said it adheres to VHA Directive 1061: Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Legionella Disease and Scald Injury from Potable Water Distribution Systems.

"We are tracing the patient’s movements within the hospital and testing the water for the bacteria at each of those locations," according to Pallas Wahl of the VA.

The test results may take 7 – 14 days to return, and in the meantime, staff at VA Boston Healthcare System is supporting the patient and working to find the source of the bacteria.

The VA has a VA Medical Center on Huntington ave in JP and a VA Boston Clinic on Causeway Street.

Legionnaires' disease is typically found in wet areas including showers, hot tubs and faucets. Humans acquire the disease by breathing it in. Drinking contaminated water will not transmit the disease and the disease cannot be spread from person to person.

Legionnaires' disease was discovered in 1976 after an outbreak at a Pennsylvania convention of the American Legion — thus its name. There were about 6,100 confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease in the U.S. last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What else to know about Legionnaires Disease? From the CDC:

People can get Legionnaires’ disease when they breathe in mist (small droplets of water in the air) containing the bacteria.

• People can get Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in mist containing the bacteria.
• In general, the bacteria do not spread from one person to another.
• Symptoms usually begin 2–10 days after exposure.
• There are no vaccines that can prevent Legionnaires’ disease.

1 Dead, 14 Infected In Hampton Beach Legionnaires' Outbreak

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