Legionella bacteria found in water tanks at Allegheny General Hospital

PITTSBURGH — Officials at Allegheny General Hospital confirmed two water tanks tested positive for Legionella bacteria, but no patients or staff members have gotten sick.

Channel 11's Renee Kaminski spoke with Dr. Sam Reynolds, chief quality officer for Allegheny Health Network.

"We do routine screening of our water systems as part of our routine maintenance, and it was detected in a few of the samples that had been negative previously," said Reynolds. "This is the first positive test we've had in a long time."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionella bacteria can cause a serious lung infection called Legionnaires’ disease, and those with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible.

Patients and staff in the Snyder Pavilion and Cancer Center were told not to drink the water or use certain ice machines. Bottled water is being provided.

Reynolds said patients who are immunocompromised were told not to shower using hospital water.

"The general public is not really susceptible to this," said Reynolds. "Healthy patients are not so susceptible, but those who are immunocompromised, those who are more at risk, we just take an abundance of caution with them."

Reynolds said water in other parts of the hospital is safe to drink and bathe in.

No patients or staff members tested positive for Legionnaires' disease.

In a statement, the Allegheny County Health Department said it's "aware of and is investigating the Legionella situation at Allegheny General Hospital, and as this investigation is ongoing we have no further comment at this time."

Cox Media Group