Queensland hospitals were found to be positive of legionella after water samples were taken from the supply system due to deaths caused by Legionnaires' disease.

The health minister assures the public that only low levels of legionella have been discovered in four hospitals in Queensland. Tests are still ongoing for 300 hospitals in the state. Lawrence Springbord says more hospitals might be contaminated with legionella since tests are not yet completed.

Despite the threat of legionella bacteria, the health minister says there is no widespread risk to patients. Health officials are testing the water supply of all hospitals in Queensland after the death of one patient. A patient in Brisbane's Wesley hospital became critically ill after exposure to legionella bacteria earlier this month. A 66-year old cancer patient, John Pearson, died after being infected legionella in Wesley Hospital's hot water supply.

Shortly after Pearson's death, a 46-year-old woman contracted the same disease in the same hospital. The woman's death caused the hospital to cancel all surgical procedures and denied hospital admission to patients. It was only last week that Wesley Hospital resumed its operations after health authorities declared the hospital free from legionella.

The Legionella bacteria was found in hospital showerheads, sinks and taps at hospitals in Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan and QE2.

Springborg says it is highly possible for more hospitals to be positive of legionella because bacteria thrives in the environment. The health minister also emphasized that legionella only becomes a dangerous threat to patients with already weak immune systems. The bacteria affects people at certain level still the risks of legionnaires' disease should not be ignored. If anyone suspects of having legionnaires' disease symptoms, hospital authorities should be informed immediately.

Health authorities will disinfect the areas positive with legionella and perform re-testing to ensure no traces of bacteria are left behind.

RELATED STORIES