Legionnaires victim 'caught disease at hospital'

A patient who died from Legionnaires’ disease may have been infected at a Co Waterford hospital, it emerged today.

The victim – thought to be a middle-aged woman – was found to be suffering from the illness last week.

Health officials said Waterford Regional Hospital took immediate steps to ensure it did not spread to other patients and staff.

“The immediate indications are that the infection was acquired in the hospital,” the South Eastern Health Board said in a statement.

“The circumstances of the case are being fully examined. Environmental and other testing has been carried out and we are awaiting detailed results.”

A spokeswoman for the health board said details of the case were being withheld until the victim’s relatives had been informed.

She said it was a single, isolated, case and that it was not believed to have infected anybody else.

“The board is satisfied that there is no immediate danger to other patients, staff or visitors in the hospital,” the statement added.

“Due to patient confidentiality the board cannot comment on individual patient cases.”

Legionnaires’ disease is frequently spread by air conditioning systems.