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Legionnaires' outbreak causes Brisbane hospital to stop admissions Legionnaires' outbreak causes Brisbane hospital to stop admissions
(4 months later)
A Brisbane hospital has cancelled all admissions and surgeries as it searches for the source of a legionnaires’ outbreak that has killed one person and left another in intensive care.A Brisbane hospital has cancelled all admissions and surgeries as it searches for the source of a legionnaires’ outbreak that has killed one person and left another in intensive care.
The bacteria was found in the hot water system of the east wing of Wesley hospital in Auchenflower.The bacteria was found in the hot water system of the east wing of Wesley hospital in Auchenflower.
The hospital has confirmed the second patient was in a ward outside the east wing when she contracted the disease. A 60-year-old man being treated for cancer died on Sunday.The hospital has confirmed the second patient was in a ward outside the east wing when she contracted the disease. A 60-year-old man being treated for cancer died on Sunday.
After confirmation of the second outbreak, the hospital began contacting around 1,400 patients and 2,300 staff who may have been exposed to the bacteria in the last ten days.After confirmation of the second outbreak, the hospital began contacting around 1,400 patients and 2,300 staff who may have been exposed to the bacteria in the last ten days.
The hospital “is confident” the outbreak is not in the air-conditioning system, as routine testing is conducted regularly.The hospital “is confident” the outbreak is not in the air-conditioning system, as routine testing is conducted regularly.
All possibilities were being considered in the search for the source of the outbreak, said Richard Royle, the executive director of UnitingCare Health, which manages the hospital.All possibilities were being considered in the search for the source of the outbreak, said Richard Royle, the executive director of UnitingCare Health, which manages the hospital.
He said an outbreak of legionnaires’ in the hot water system was unprecedented as far as he was aware.He said an outbreak of legionnaires’ in the hot water system was unprecedented as far as he was aware.
He acknowledged there were documented cases overseas in older facilities, but “this is the first time we’ve seen it particularly in the context of a three-year-old building with modern plumbing”, he said.He acknowledged there were documented cases overseas in older facilities, but “this is the first time we’ve seen it particularly in the context of a three-year-old building with modern plumbing”, he said.
Ambulances were being diverted away from the hospital, and all surgeries and admissions were cancelled until further notice.Ambulances were being diverted away from the hospital, and all surgeries and admissions were cancelled until further notice.
"This is a precaution until we know exactly the source of contamination," Royle said."This is a precaution until we know exactly the source of contamination," Royle said.
"We will never put patients knowingly at risk and therefore the hospital cannot accept further patients at this point.""We will never put patients knowingly at risk and therefore the hospital cannot accept further patients at this point."
UnitingCare Health was providing support from St Andrew’s hospital in Brisbane.UnitingCare Health was providing support from St Andrew’s hospital in Brisbane.
The hospital was contacting patients discharged since 25 May, within the 10-day incubation period of the disease.The hospital was contacting patients discharged since 25 May, within the 10-day incubation period of the disease.
It has urged anyone who had been a patient of the hospital between 25 May and 5 June to contact the hospital’s hotline, particularly if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms or diarrhoea, on 07 3232 7316.It has urged anyone who had been a patient of the hospital between 25 May and 5 June to contact the hospital’s hotline, particularly if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms or diarrhoea, on 07 3232 7316.
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