Health officials say 11 people at UW Hospital developed Legionnaires’ disease. The hospital’s hot water system is reportedly to blame for the outbreak. Four of the patients remain hospitalized and six have been discharged. One person died last week when the outbreak was first revealed.
The medical director of infection control at the hospital said the outbreak appears to be linked to a decision to reduce water flow during low demand times last month. However, regular flow has been resumed following the outbreak. The hospital has extensively chlorinated their water supply and testing has shown a reduction in bacteria levels.
