VA says clinic not source of Legionnaires

A test of the water fountains and ice makers at the Columbus VA clinic showed no signs of the bacteria that cause 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 on the East Side, had been working closely with Franklin County Public Health to see whether the VA was the possible source of the bacteria that resulted in Legionella cases among four VA patients who had appointments at the VA between late May and mid-June. In reaction to those cases, to see whether 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 they spread into building water systems and to places such as shower stalls, faucets and drinking fountains, they can become a health concern. Breathing in water droplets from air that contains the bacteria can be the problem. 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.

A news release issued Tuesday by the VA 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 the Ohio Department of Health to help raise awareness of the symptoms associated with Legionella and steps necessary for its treatment.