Initial investigations have shown that the 82-year-old, who died in mid-September after a legionella infection at the Vienna General Hospital, was not infected in the hospital.
The hospital announced this in a broadcast on Thursday. Immediately after the contamination became known, samples were taken at the water outlet points. These microbiological tests showed that the water could not cause Legionella contamination.
Was previously transferred from another hospital
The laboratory analyzes were carried out by the Water Hygiene Department of the Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology. Initially, they were unsure whether the infection had occurred in the AKH; the patient had come to the AKH from another hospital in Vienna. All necessary measures were immediately taken at the AKH,
Areas closed immediately
Water samples were taken and the areas where the patient had washed were closed. The fittings and filters have also been replaced. The initial focus was mainly on a bathtub that the woman was using. However, it is still unclear where the source of the contamination lies.
High risk of infection
The bacterium “Legionella pneumophila” is the cause of serious and often fatal pneumonia. Older people or those with weakened immune systems are especially at risk for infections anywhere hot water mixes with air to create foam, for example in hot tubs, saunas and near cooling towers.
Source: Krone
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