Two patients at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center's University Drive campus in Oakland have tested positive for Legionella bacteria, the Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed Thursday. Hospital officials say clinicians are keeping a close eye on the patients while maintenance crews treated and flushed parts of the building's water system as a precaution.
In a statement to WPXI, the VA said the two patients at the Pittsburgh VAMC recently tested positive for Legionella. The facility responded by "treating, flushing and testing" its water lines as a precaution. The agency also noted that Legionella occurs naturally in the region's freshwater and said the medical center's water supply had not tested positive for the bacteria in several years, according to the station. WPXI reported that investigator Amy Hudak is working to gather more details and planned updates on the station's evening newscast.
VA Says It Monitors and Treats Water Systems
The VA's Pittsburgh site describes a standing program of monthly testing and engineering controls intended to limit Legionella risk. Water-treatment staff monitor temperature, pH and chlorine levels around the clock, according to the facility. The medical center details steps such as continuous chlorine drips, mixing valves and instantaneous hot-water heaters that are designed to keep bacteria in check, and it says it publishes regular water-quality reports. More information is posted by VA Pittsburgh Health Care.
What Legionella Is and Who Is at Risk
Legionella bacteria can lead to Legionnaires' disease, a serious type of pneumonia, or to a milder flu-like illness called Pontiac fever. Symptoms usually show up between two and fourteen days after exposure and can include cough, shortness of breath, fever and muscle aches. Health officials emphasize that the illness does not spread from person to person. The CDC says older adults, smokers, people with chronic lung disease and individuals with weakened immune systems face higher risk and recommends testing and early treatment when Legionella infection is suspected.
Local History and Context
Pittsburgh's VA has dealt with Legionella before. A multi‑patient outbreak in 2011–2012 triggered an inspection by the VA Office of Inspector General that documented problems with prevention and monitoring at the time. The 2013 review led to changes in testing, remediation and oversight at the medical center and still hangs over the facility whenever new Legionella cases surface. The inspection findings are detailed in a report from the VA Office of Inspector General.
What Veterans and Visitors Should Know
Anyone who received care at the Pittsburgh VAMC and then develops respiratory symptoms is urged to contact a healthcare provider. Clinicians commonly use a urine antigen test and sputum culture to check for Legionella. Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics when identified early, and both VA and public health guidance support testing patients who develop pneumonia while in a healthcare facility. For the medical center's water-quality data and related reports, see the monitoring information posted by VA Pittsburgh Health Care.
WPXI reports it will continue tracking the situation and airing updates, including an on-air segment from investigator Amy Hudak. This story will be updated as officials release additional information.
