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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jun/05/legionnaires-disease-outbreak-brisbane-hospital
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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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