In the Specialist Hospital in Kościerzyna, tests of the Sanitary Inspectorate revealed legionella bacteria in the hot water system. Outbreaks were detected in several wards, the largest in the children’s ward. Due to this situation, admitting patients was suspended. Patients are forbidden to bathe or use showers.
A special team appointed by the President of the Specialist Hospital in Kościerzyna is to verify what caused the appearance of the dangerous legionella bacteria in the water supply system. The norms were exceeded in a few wards, but most in the children’s ward.
The hospital authorities decided to immediately stop admitting babies to the ward. Young patients are sent to the Tri-City or to the hospital in Kartuzy. Unless there is an emergency and life-threatening condition, such persons will be admitted to the facility. In the remaining departments, work is carried out as usual, but there is no shower, and the hot water supply is cut off.
Therefore, the hospital authorities take the problem very seriously, but do not panic. The president of the hospital in Kościerzyna, Wiktor Hajdenrajch, ensures that the situation is already under control, and that the facility, under the supervision of the Sanepid, has implemented special procedures to deal with the dangerous bacteria as soon as possible. First, intervention measures were taken, i.e. cleaning and disinfection of the water system.
Legionella bacteria are transmitted by droplets. It can get into our lungs, settle in the alveoli and cause legionellosis, i.e. Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionella pneumophila infection can be as follows:
- pulmonary form – a typical picture of legionellosis, presenting as severe pneumonia. The characteristic symptoms are: fever up to 39C, dry cough, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, and disturbed consciousness. In the course of the disease, complications such as respiratory failure or renal failure may occur. Approx. 20% of patients die of legionellosis.
- extrapulmonary form – can run as:
- Pontiac fever – a mild flu-like illness with symptoms of fever, headaches, muscle aches, and symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. Recovery occurs spontaneously after a few days.
- systemic infection with symptoms of sepsis; burdened with a very high mortality rate. This form of infection is mainly observed in immunosuppressed people, e.g. after transplantation.
Another inspection of the Department of Health will be possible only after a few days, when it will then be able to check whether these bacteria are not multiplying again.
The president of the hospital management board announces the purchase of a special ionizer, which in the future is to protect the network against the multiplication of legionella bacteria.
Based on: polsatnews.pl