Cheshire Medical: Legionella eradicated from hospital's water system

Sep. 16—Following treatment earlier this month, a potentially harmful bacteria was eradicated from Cheshire Medical Center's hot-water system, an official said Friday.

The bacteria, legionella, was detected at the Keene hospital late last month. If inhaled or ingested, the bacteria can cause Legionnaires' disease, a rare form of pneumonia.

The bacteria affected only Cheshire Medical's South Building, which includes departments like supply chain, environmental services and the mailroom, spokesman Matthew Barone said previously.

The Dartmouth Health affiliate was able to pinpoint which areas required a "superheat" flush through routine testing. This treatment involves raising the temperature of the hot-water system, then flushing out the outlets to disinfect the areas.

Cheshire Medical needed to conduct two rounds of this treatment — once on Aug. 20, and again on Sept. 2 — to properly remove all of the bacteria. Barone previously has not answered questions on the specific levels of bacteria detected.

Barone noted there was never a threat to employees, patients or the public. The drinking water was also not affected.

Legionella is found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams, but can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in constructed water systems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people can develop Legionnaires' disease by breathing in small droplets of water or accidentally swallowing water containing legionella.

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Olivia Belanger can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1439, or obelanger@keenesentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBelangerKS.