Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply at the Montgomery and Tuskegee VA facilities during routine water sample testing, according to an article on the WFSA.com website.
Currently, no patients or staff have been identified as having any legionella-associated infections, but some patients were relocated from one medical room on the Montgomery campus and two mental health rooms on the Tuskegee campus out of precaution, the article said.
The rooms are being treated by elevating the water temperature to remove any trace of the bacteria.
The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System is also thermally treating its water holding tanks to protect the facility's water system.
The Alabama Department of Public Health does not require legionella cases to be reported unless it infects a person, but health department officials say they have been in contact with the Central Alabama VA since they were alerted to the positive test, the article said.
Biofilm 'Life Raft' Changes C. Auris Risk
How Healthcare Restrooms Are Rethinking Water Efficiency
Northwell Health Finds Energy Savings in Steam Systems
The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting
Jupiter Medical Center Falls Victim to Third-Party Data Breach