Legionnaires’ disease bacteria found in Minneapolis VA Hospital Water

Veterans Affairs officials say they have detected the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease in water samples at the Minneapolis Hospital. 

The Star Tribune reports that officials at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis found bacteria in 5 of 40 water samples taken on November 19. 

So far no illnesses have been reported. 

The hospital is taking steps to clean the water system. 

Legionnaires’ Disease was first identified in 1976 after an outbreak at the American Legion convention in Philadelphia.  

Legionnaires’ is a respiratory infection that infects the lungs and causes pneumonia. 

Outbreaks were reported in New York City and western Illinois this summer.  More than 20 people died and hundreds were sickened from the disease.