According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease each year in the United States. The bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in warm water.
Most people are exposed to the bacteria regularly and do not become sick. But people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to becoming ill.
Arizona Congressman Ron Barber said, “This discovery of Legionella is extremely concerning. Although this bacterium is found naturally in the environment, it can cause serious health problems and even death. I appreciate officials at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System moving quickly to notify its patients, staff and the public about this potential health issue as soon as they became aware of it. Now I call on VA administrators to move expeditiously to cleanse the hospital’s water supply so it poses no further threat to our veterans. I have been in contact with the Veterans Affairs department, both locally and in Washington, to ensure there has been no impact to veterans’ care.”
The SAVAHCS said 120 points in its water system were tested on Sept. 22 and 23. Nine of those were found to contain Legionella bacteria when the test results were returned on Tuesday.