Over the past four months, Berkshire Medical Center’s laboratory has confirmed seven positive cases of Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease. Officials at Berkshire Health System said Thursday that the hospital’s water supply is being tested regularly, as several patients who tested positive had been at the hospital about two weeks before developing symptoms.
Legionnaires’ disease is a naturally occurring bacteria found in fresh water. The hospital submitted all positive test results to the Massachusetts Department of Health. While officials cannot determine how the patients contracted the illness, some had visited the hospital 14 days before falling ill.
“We have consulted with the MA-DPH about both the water levels and the positive patient tests,” the hospital stated. “After considering these two issues together, out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to implement additional measures around water usage at BMC.”
Berkshire Medical Center has increased chlorine levels in its water system, adjusted the sensitivity of showers and ice machines, and restricted tap water use to handwashing only. Officials also reported slightly elevated Legionella levels in the water supply during July and August.
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