Recent testing of the water supply at Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital in Hastings found positive results for Legionella bacteria.
Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease.
The results were reported to the Barry-Eaton District Health Department on Wednesday.
The testing was done after a second case of Legionnaire’s disease in patients at the hospital was identified in November.
It’s “unknown if the two recent cases at the hospital are directly connected to the Legionella found in the water supply,” according to the release. The hospital is providing alternative water sources, using water filtration and testing additional patients for Legionnaire’s disease.
Spectrum Health Pennock’s water supply comes from a private water plumbing system. The health department does not believe the city of Hastings’ municipal water supply is affected. According to a press release, the city’s water system is receiving its “(r)outine daily required bacteriological sampling.” Nothing of concern has been found currently.
Legionnaire’s disease is a kind of lung infection. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headache and fever. It is treatable with antibiotics and cannot be spread from person to person.
The infection can happen when a person breathes in water droplets containing the bacteria.
The health department is working with Spectrum Health Pennock to monitor the water supply and protect patients.
Patients or visitors of the hospital concerned about Legionella can call (844) 689-2875 or (616) 391-9986.
More information about Legionnaire’s disease can be found on the CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/about/.
