Bacteria That Causes Legionnaires Disease Found in North Texas VA
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DALLAS (CBSFDW.COM) - Water faucets in two North Texas VA Health Care facilities tested positive for the bacteria that causes Legionnaires Disease. The VA hasn't found any infections related to the bacteria, and it has shut down seven faucets until the water lines can be treated.
Tests turned up positive in two places on the Dallas campus and five in Bonham. They were the only positive tests out of more than 200 samples.
The testing done last month came as part of a national directive from the VA in August. It followed an outbreak of legionnaires in Pittsburgh, where more than two dozen patients were sick and six died.
The severe form of pneumonia is spread by inhaling water droplets in a spray or mist.
The samples in Dallas were found in an administrative office, and in a media room at the Fisher House, where families of patients can stay temporarily. The sample in the office was for a type of bacteria rarely associated with human infection.
The positive samples in Bonham included three patient rooms and one men's restroom. A VA representative said the assisted living facility was making adjustments to some of its patient care schedules due to the problem.
The VA said it is flushing the affected water lines with hot water, and extra chlorination. it is doing more testing and alerted staff to be watching for any possible infections.
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