HASTINGS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Health officials in Barry County are concerned after the bacteria that causes legionnaires’ disease was found in a water source at Spectrum Pennock Hospital.
It may or may not have contributed to one man’s death, and made another ill, but it’s difficult to say conclusively without more testing, and they may never be able to prove it was the cause of death.
Dr. J Daniel Woodall with the Barry County Health Department says the man who died was 92-years-old and had a complex medical profile.
There is a lot they don’t know, whether the two cases of Legionella are linked or whether it was contracted at the hospital.
What they do know is that the bacteria are spread through the water vapor in the air not by drinking water, and that it seems to be isolated to the Hospital.
They are taking steps to eradicate it.
(copy written by John McNeill)
