Pair of legionellosis cases confirmed at TOH's General campus
CBC News | Posted: October 21, 2023 10:35 PM | Last Updated: October 22, 2023
Access to tap water being restricted; 2nd such incident in just over 2 years
Tap water access is being restricted at two units at The Ottawa Hospital's General campus after officials confirmed a pair of cases of legionellosis.
In a statement Saturday, spokesperson Michaela Schreiter said the hospital was "working with care teams to ensure alternative water sources are available" so that the impact on patients in the 5 East and 5 West units is minimal.
"We are also working closely with public health and environmental experts to determine next steps to remediate the issue as soon as possible," wrote Schreiter in her email.
Legionellosis is the broad term for a number of diseases, including legionnaire's disease and Pontiac fever, that are caused by the water-borne legionella bacteria.
Rarely causes severe sickness
People can get infected with legionella by inhaling water droplets from a contaminated water supply.
The bacteria rarely causes severe illness, but risks increase for people who are older, who smoke or have a chronic health condition or suppressed immune system.
Illnesses caused by legionella can typically be treated if caught early. The bacteria is not spread person-to-person, Schreiter wrote.
"Safety is our top priority, and we will continue to update patients and families as we learn more to ensure they have all the information they need," she said.
Earl Brown, a professor of virology at the University of Ottawa, said if someone healthy comes into contact with the bacteria they may not even notice.
But those with underlying conditions can develop legionella pneumonia, which requires antibiotics or can be fatal.
Doesn't impact treatment
In terms of hospital operations, not being able to use the water is "primarily an inconvenience" and shouldn't affect patient care, said Rachel Muir, a registered nurse and bargaining unit president for the Ontario Nurses' Association at The Ottawa Hospital.
"As far as actual treatment and care of patients, it doesn't really impact that and the medications [and] the treatments that they would be receiving as part of their care," Muir said.
Muir said the length of the disruption will depend on how many cases there are and how widespread the bacteria is.
"This is one of those little bacterias that sort of sits there, and it's in standing water all the time, especially in older buildings. The issue arises when those levels start to climb."
Will need to 'purge' system
It's not the first time this has happened at the General campus, as the hospital also shut the tap water off two years ago when a case of legionellosis was confirmed.
High levels of legionella bacteria aren't uncommon for facilities with large water systems, Brown said.
The system will need to be cleaned to reduce those levels, he said.
"They're going to purge the water out, disinfect the system and make sure that they don't have a source beyond that," Brown said.