Hospital patient dies of Legionnaire's disease

Tuesday 22 May 2007

A 78-year-old woman has died after contracting Legionnaire's disease in the Haga hospital in The Hague, reports the Telegraaf on Tuesday.

The woman was being treated for rheumatism in a ward with about 60 other patients. She became ill at home after being discharged.

Three other patients have been found to have contracted the disease. The outbreak has been traced to a shower and the hospital has now purified its complete water system.

Meanwhile, over 20% of water pipe systems in newly built complexes such as hospitals, schools and office complexes show an increased risk of contamination with legionella and other bacteria, according to environment ministry figures.

The checks were carried out in 2005. Environment minister Jacqueline Cramer said the high percentage of failures was disappointing.

© DutchNews.nl

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