The Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati has confirmed two cases of Legionnaires’ disease at its main campus. The patients were diagnosed within the past six weeks, and health officials are now checking if the illness may be linked to the hospital’s water system.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious kind of pneumonia caused by bacteria called Legionella. People can get sick when they breathe in small water droplets that contain the bacteria. It is not spread from person to person.
The Christ Hospital said it is working with the Cincinnati Health Department, Hamilton County Public Health, and the Ohio Department of Health to find the source of the infection. Teams are testing the hospital’s water systems and have added filters to faucets and showers to keep people safe while tests continue.
In a public statement, the hospital said it regularly checks and treats its water systems to prevent Legionella bacteria and other germs. It also said there is no sign that the hospital’s water is unsafe and that the risk to patients, visitors, and staff is low.
Officials said both patients are receiving proper medical care. The hospital is taking extra safety steps, such as reviewing water treatment systems and cleaning procedures, to make sure the environment is safe for everyone.
Legionnaires’ disease can cause cough, fever, muscle pain, and breathing problems. Health experts advise anyone who recently visited the hospital and has these symptoms to contact their doctor immediately.
The hospital said it will continue to update the public as new information becomes available. For now, it remains open and continues normal operations while the investigation is underway.
