Legionella Bacteria Found in New York City Hospital: Officials

A type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease was detected at Jacobi Medical Center -- resulting in extreme water restrictions at the Bronx hospital, according to officials.

NYC Health + Hospitals, which operates the hospital, says that a required routine of testing potable water supply “found low levels of Legionella bacteria.”

No cases have been reported of Legionnaires’ disease -- a type of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella, which tends to grow in warm water.

The disease is contracted by breathing in water droplets contaminated with the bacterium. In most cases, the bacterium can be traced to plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for Legionella growth.

“Per guidance from the New York State Department of Health, which regulates hospitals, we have taken steps to prevent any impact on our patients, staff, or visitors. Safety is always our highest priority,” NYC Health + Hospitals said in a statement Saturday.

Since the detection, the hospital has implemented water restrictions, including using only bottled water, making available packaged bath wipes for daily hygiene and installing new water filters on showers, officials said. 

The risk to patients, staff, and visitors is very low and there is no risk to the surrounding community, but the hospital has notified its patients and staff, according to NYC Health + Hospitals.

The disease is not passed from person to person.

The city sees an average of 200 to 500 Legionnaires' cases each year.

A separate outbreak in Washington Heights has seen 27 cases – with one person dying last month. Three individuals remain hospitalized in connection to that outbreak.