Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Reports Legionella Detection
A routine internal monitoring procedure at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara has detected the presence of Legionella bacteria. 18 cases of legionella infection have been reported to Santa Clara County public health officials.
Legionella bacteria occur naturally in water and are spread by inhaling contaminated mist, not through person-to-person contact.
In response to the findings, the hospital has implemented additional water treatment measures and is actively investigating the source of the contamination.
Kaiser Permanente stated that they are working to determine the source and have taken preventive measures.
Risk Factors
Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not develop Legionnaires' disease. Those at higher risk include:
- Adults over 50
- Smokers
- Individuals with:
- Chronic lung disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Kidney or liver failure
- Weakened immune systems