Legionella outbreak at St George's

The potentially deadly legionella bacteria has been found in the water system at St George’s Hospital in Hornchurch, east London.

Two wards housing 44 patients have been closed at the hospital run by North East London NHS Foundation Trust after legionella was discovered following routine water testing. The hospital remains closed to new patients, though other services remain open subject to an ongoing review. Hospital bosses have stressed it is not uncommon for testing to detect the bacteria and most people exposed do not contract Legionnaires’ disease.

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