The deaths occurred on March 20 and 21 at the Val du Madon hospital, in Mattaincourt, near Épinal (Vosges). Two patients died after contracting nosocomial legionellosis within the health establishment, we learned from the Grand Est regional health agency.
The victims, whose age or sex are not known, are a patient from the follow-up care and rehabilitation service and a resident of the nursing home. “No other patient has contracted the disease,” health authorities said in a press release.
A lung infection caused by water bacteria, Legionnaires’ disease is contracted through the respiratory route by inhalation of contaminated water released in the form of microdroplets or aerosols, during showers for example.
A complete audit of the water network in progress
After the discovery of these two cases, the Val du Madon hospital installed anti-legionella filters in the showers. “An environmental medical investigation” was also opened by the ARS “in order to determine the origin of the contamination and to analyze the control of the domestic hot water production and distribution installations in the main building of the establishment with regard to the risk of proliferation of legionella. »
The frequency of checks has also been increased within the hospital “in order to monitor the quality of domestic hot water as closely as possible” and “a complete audit of the water network is underway”, specifies the regional agency. health.