Mother of seven dies after catching Legionnaire’s disease in hospital

A DEVOTED mother of seven who was admitted to hospital for tests just over five weeks ago has died of Legionnaire’s disease.

Experts say she contracted the severe pneumonia-like disease while in Waterford Regional Hospital, probably from a pressurised shower head in the en suite of her private room. Tests are being carried out on the bathroom.

Sixty-one-year-old Ena Kiely was admitted to hospital just over a month ago and was believed to be suffering from Crohn’s disease. Her distraught husband, Dr Edward (Eamonn) Kiely, was too upset to speak last night. Her sudden death has left her family stunned as Mrs Kiely enjoyed a holiday in Toronto, Canada, in February this year.

Dr Kiely and the couple’s seven children, Paula, Peter, Derry, Gillian, Edwin, Avena and Ray, were last night being comforted by relatives as a post mortem was carried out. The Kiely children range in age from late teens upwards. They live in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, where Dr Kiely works as a GP. It is believed Mrs Kiely’s funeral will take place later this week. The South Eastern Health Board confirmed a positive case of Legionnaire’s disease was detected in Waterford Regional Hospital.

Opposition politicians called on the Minister for Health Mícheál Martin to outline what was being done to protect other patients, staff and visitors.

Fine Gael health spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said: “Nothing less than full disclosure of facts of this tragic case will satisfy the public, who are already in a state of near panic as the health service lurches from one crisis to another.”

Labour’s health spokesperson Liz McManus said the death from Legionnaire’s disease was a matter of serious concern and required urgent action from the authorities.

“It will be a further blow to morale in a health service already reeling from chronic mismanagement,” she said.

Ms McManus said water systems in other major hospitals should be examined in light of the death.

However, consultant microbiologist at Waterford Regional Hospital, Dr Mary Hickey, said that it was a rare and isolated case.

“It is likely that the infection was acquired within the hospital. It is a single, isolated case and every precaution has been taken ,” she said. South Eastern Health Board deputy chief executive John Magnier said the hospital would not be closed.

Parish priest Fr Brendan Crowley said Mrs Kiely’s death had touched the close-knit community. “She was a fantastic, devoted mother. Everybody here thought the world of her,” he said.

Mrs Kiely’s family are well-known in horse racing circles. Her brothers-in-law, Paddy, John and David have stables within a few miles of one another at Lisfennel near Dungarvan in Co Waterford.