Legionnaire's bacteria detected in water supply at hospital

EAST ORANGE (WABC) -- Legionnaire's bacteria has been detected in some of the water supply at New Jersey VA Hospital campuses in East Orange, and the Lyons campus in Somerset County.

"It was actually six buildings on the campus," said New Jersey VA Chief of Staff Dr. Steven Lieberman.

The bacteria was discovered within the last two weeks during routine testing. Ken Mizrach, the director of both New Jersey facilities, says routine water testing has been newly implemented at VA Hospitals across the country, after a deadly Legionnaire's Disease outbreak at a Pennsylvania VA last year.

"I think it came out at that medical center," said Ken Mizrach.

Part of the solution is that some water fountains and sinks are now off-limits to patients and staff. Showerheads with special filtration systems have been installed. Even a waterfall on the first floor of the East Orange campus has been shut down.

The primary method of getting rid of the bacteria is to heat up the water.