VA says Columbus clinic not source of bacteria

A test of the water fountains and ice makers at the Columbus VA clinic showed no signs of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said Tuesday.

The administration and staff at the Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic on James Road had been working closely with Franklin County Public Health to see if the VA was the possible source of the bacteria found in four Legionella cases in which the patients had each had appointments at the VA between late May and midJune. In reaction to those cases, to see if there was a common source, the VA had the company it regularly uses to monitor its water conduct additional testing.

Legionella bacteria can be found naturally in water, but when it spreads into building water systems and to places such as showers stalls, faucets and drinking fountains, it can become a health concern. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that people with weakened immune systems can be vulnerable to the bacteria and develop Legionnaires’ disease. Breathing in water droplets from the air that contain the bacteria can be the problem.

A news release issued by the VA Tuesday said that even though the Columbus facility wasn’t the source, additional measures are being put into place to continue to stave off the spread of the bacteria. Those measures include improved flushing protocol for appliances such as ice machines and water fountains and a better cleaning and sanitizing process.

In addition, the VA said it will work with Columbus Public Health, Franklin County Public Health and Ohio Department of Health to help raise awareness of the symptoms associated with legionella.