Los Angeles Hospital; 9 Cases, 2 Deaths; Spring 2002

In March, two cases of Legionnaires' disease apparently contracted at a 408-bed hospital in Los Angeles were reported to county health officials. Water samples that were subsequently collected tested negative. Two months later two more cases were reported, one of which resulted in the death of a 67-year-old man. Samples were again collected, this time showing Legionella The hospital attempted to decontaminate the plumbing system by heat shock. Then, on 25 May, a 55-year-old man who entered the hospital with heart problems contracted Legionnaires'. He died 15 June. The hospital's chief of staff contended that the patients had underlying illnesses, so Legionnaires' disease may not have been the primary cause of death. All nine of the patients were over 50 and had heart problems. Eight of the nine spent time on the same floor of the hospital before becoming ill. Sources: LA Times; Reuters; Associated Press