Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Veterans Affairs officials say they've detected the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease in water samples at the Minneapolis hospital.
The Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/1MJevjI) reports that no illnesses have been reported. Officials at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis said routine testing on Nov. 19 found the bacteria in 5 of 40 water samples.
The hospital has fitted faucets and shower heads with filters and is flushing the water system.
Legionnaires' disease was first identified in 1976 after an outbreak at the American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Outbreaks reported in New York City and western Illinois killed more than 20 people and sickened hundreds more this summer.
KARE-TV first reported the bacteria detection at the VA hospital.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
