2012年10月21日 星期日

St George’s Hospital, in Hornchurch, turns away new patients in legionella bacteria alert


A hospital in east London has been closed to new patients after finding elevated levels of the potentially deadly legionella bacteria in its water system.
St George’s Hospital, in Hornchurch, has shut its two wards housing 44 patients following the discovery of the bacteria during routine water testing, North East London NHS Foundation Trust said.
Admissions will remain closed today but other services will stay open subject to an ongoing review, a spokesman added.
Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated with legionella bacteria.
But hospital chiefs stressed it is not uncommon for testing to detect the bacteria and most people exposed do not contract Legionnaires’ disease.
The symptoms are mild headaches, muscle pain, fever, persistent cough and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.
A statement from North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) said: “During routine water testing at St George’s Hospital in Hornchurch, preliminary results show elevated levels of legionella bacteria in sections of the water system.
“To ensure the safety of patients at the hospital, NELFT has made the decision to move bed-based patients from the hospital.
“There are currently 44 patients in two wards at St George’s. Plans are being finalised to move patients to suitable accommodation later today.
“We are closed to inpatient admissions. Other services on site will remain open and are subject to ongoing review. Final test results are expected on Monday.
“It is not uncommon for routine testing to detect legionella bacteria. Legionella bacteria are widely distributed within the environment and can be found in artificial water sources such as water towers associated with cooling systems, domestic water systems and spa pools, and natural water sources such as rivers and streams.
“Most people exposed to the bacteria do not become ill with Legionnaires’ disease and the illness cannot be spread from person-to-person.”
Plans were already under way to move inpatient facilities from St George’s Hospital following concerns relating to the estate infrastructure, the trust said.

2012年10月9日 星期二

七建築物水樣本退伍軍人病菌超標


機電工程署上月抽查四十八幢建築物共五十七個冷卻塔,當中七幢建築物的冷卻塔的水樣本, 退伍軍人病菌含量超標。


七幢建築物包括屯門仁政街的慎成大廈、富恆大廈、粉嶺聯盛街34號、銅鑼灣波斯富街87號、渣甸街富盛商業大廈、觀塘興業街美興工業大廈A座及巧明街萬年工業大廈。
檢測中,每毫升水都含超過1000菌落。市民一旦吸入退伍軍人病菌,有機會出現退伍軍人症,導致嚴重肺炎甚至死亡。




Ref: http://news.now.com/home/local/player?newsId=47772