A New Jersey hospital is alerting hundreds of patients to be vigilant for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease after a patient's death led to the discovery of the potentially deadly bacteria in the facility's water system. The patient, treated at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson for multiple medical conditions, tested positive for Legionella, a type of bacteria that can cause a serious form of pneumonia. According to a statement from St. Joseph’s Health, the patient's complex medical condition ultimately led to their demise. Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious; it spreads via water or mist containing Legionella bacteria. The state Department of Health's inspection of the hospital's water system revealed Legionella in one area's water supply on November 18. St. Joseph’s was notified of the test results on December 8 and initiated cleaning and treatment of its water system. The health system is notifying 228 former patients treated in that area between November 27 and December 8 about the risk of infection, despite minimal risk of contracting the disease from the water supply. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia or lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria, with symptoms including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle aches, and headache. Symptoms typically appear within 14 days of exposure but can take longer. While most healthy individuals exposed to Legionella won’t get sick, those over 50, particularly smokers, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for developing the disease. New Jersey sees about 250 to 350 cases of Legionnaires annually, with 224 cases diagnosed last year.
