Karratha Health Campus given all-clear for legionella bacteria
Karratha Health Campus has been declared clear of the potentially fatal legionella bacteria that was detected in the building’s water sources earlier this month.
A WACHS spokeswoman today confirmed test results showed water at the hospital now met the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and all precautionary measures to guard against infection had been lifted.
Staff have been informed of the news.
Legionella — a type of bacteria that can become established in water systems, especially during warm weather, and can cause Legionnaires’ disease if inhaled — was detected in water sources at the hospital during scheduled testing in the first week of January.
At the time, WACHS chief executive Jeff Moffet said the bacteria posed a very low risk to patients and staff and he expected all traces to be cleared within days.
Karratha Health Campus has remained operational throughout the treatment period, though precautionary measures were implemented to prevent the risk of infection to patients, visitors and staff.
No clinical cases of legionella infection were reported in the Karratha area during that time.
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