Legionella bacteria have been detected in the Specialist Hospital in Chorzów. The facility has planned, among other things, disinfection of the hot water system. There is currently no information about possible infections.
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RMF FM reporter Marcin Buczek reported that two cases of coronavirus were detected in the Specialist Hospital in Chorzów. Legionella bacteria.
In both cases, these are sinks. The first is located in the observation and infectious diseases ward, and the second in the nurses’ station in the psychiatric ward.
The hospital said in a statement that shower aerators and shower heads were immediately removed, the dosage of chlorine dioxide was increased, daily draining of water from each spout was planned, and shock disinfection of the hot water installation was to take place on Monday.
“The exceedances of parametric values are most likely due to weather conditions (especially high temperature), which continuously increase the temperature of the hospital’s water installation, causing the parameters to be exceeded,” the hospital wrote in a statement.
After shock disinfection, another inspection will be carried out by the District Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Chorzów.
There is currently no information about possible illnesses.
Sanepid emphasizes that drinking water contaminated with bacteria does not lead to infection.
It is acquired through inhalation, the bacteria do not spread from person to person. It can lead to Legionnaires’ disease, which is legionellozy or Pontiac fever. Symptoms include dry cough, fever, headache, bone, muscle and joint pain, or breathing problems.
Antibiotic therapy is then used.
“Legionella grows best in water at temperatures between 25 and 45 degrees Celsius. When the water temperature reaches 55 degrees Celsius, the bacteria lives for about 20 minutes. At 60 degrees Celsius, it lives for only 2 minutes, and at a temperature of about 70 degrees Celsius, it dies. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of at least 55 degrees Celsius at tap water outlets,” informs the Sanitary Inspectorate.
