Columbus, Ohio-based Mount Carmel Health System has identified two potential cases of Legionnaires' disease in patients recently treated at Mount Carmel East in Columbus, a health system spokesperson confirmed to Becker's Hospital Review.
The health system has implemented extensive water restrictions throughout the hospital. The system is also running additional tests on water sources, and the entire water supply is undergoing hyperchlorination.
"We're confident that we can safely maintain full services of the hospital while we study this situation," the health system said in a statement.
The source of the bacteria is unknown, but the system is working with Columbus Public Health, the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC as part of the investigation.
The latest cases come about six months after a Legionnaires' outbreak infected 16 patients at Mount Carmel Grove City (Ohio). One patient died, and three others filed lawsuits against the hospital.
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