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Two cases of Legionnaires' confirmed in Hastings hospital; one person dies, cause of death still undetermined

The Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply at Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital in November.
Credit: CDC

Bacteria known to cause Legionnaires' Disease has been found in the water supply at Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital in Hastings. 

Two cases of Legionnaires' Disease were confirmed at the Hastings hospital. The Barry-Eaton District Health Department said that one person has recovered but one person died. However, they said that "we cannot conclusively state if this death was due to Legionnaire’s [sic] acquired at Spectrum Health Pennock."

According to the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, the bacteria was discovered in November after the second case of Legionnaires' Disease was identified at the hospital.   

The health department said it is unknown if the two recent cases at the hospital are directly connected to the bacteria found in the water supply.

Spectrum Health Pennock sampled the water supply at various locations around the hospital and Legionella was reported to the health department on Dec. 26. 

Legionnaire’s Disease is caused by the bacteria called Legionella. The disease is a kind of pneumonia, or lung infection. 

People can become infected with the disease when they breathe in water droplets containing the bacteria. 

About one in ten people with Legionnaire’s die from the infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Legionnaire’s cannot be spread from person to person and if you are experiencing the symptoms you should contact a doctor. Click here to read more on the disease.  

Symptoms include:

  • cough 
  • shortness of breath 
  • muscle aches
  • headache
  • fever 

The health department said, Legionella is "commonly found in large, manmade water systems, including those found in healthcare facilities such as hospitals."

The health department said on Friday that the Legionella bacteria was found within Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital's private water system. They said there is no reason to believe the bacteria is in the Hastings' municipal water supply. However, they will continue to perform testing of the city's water.

Spectrum Health Pennock has established a hotline for patients or visitors concerned about Legionella. Call (844) 689-2875 or (616)391-9986.

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