UW Medical Center reports suspected case of Legionnaires' Disease

SEATTLE — Officials at the University of Washington Medical Center say they're investigating a suspected case of Legionnaires' Disease.

Legionnaires’ is a serious type of pneumonia, caused by breathing in small water droplets with the bacteria in it.

Reporter Rob Munoz is monitoring what’s being done to keep the disease from spreading. Rob’s live on air on our morning news until 7 a.m.

The hospital confirms one of its patients likely contracted the disease there.

Families in the unit are being notified while doctors are monitoring the patient.

KIRO 7 reported on deadly cases of Legionnaires' there in the last two years. Last year, two other patients contracted Legionnaires' in the same building – the Cascade Tower. One of them died.

In addition to last year's fatal case, in 2016, five patients in the same building contracted the disease. Two of those patients died.

UW Medical Center officials say the rooms where the patient was treated are not being used while they are waiting for culture results from water sources in them.

All patient respiratory specimens are being tested for Legionella bacteria and patients with pneumonia are being tested as well.

Since the previous cases, UW Medicine says it has implemented intensive water management with constant testing.

The hospital says it is working closely with Public health - Seattle King County and the Department of Health to investigate the case.

Cox Media Group