Routine water testing conducted by Spotless, facility manager of the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), has detected low levels of Legionella in two locations: one shower in the hydrotherapy pool area and another shower in a non-clinical room not accessed by patients. All other test results were negative.

There are no confirmed cases of infection, and the risk remains low. The RCH has contacted all patients and families who have come into contact with the affected areas. There is no risk to other patients, and families, at the RCH.

As per Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, Spotless immediately disinfected the affected areas and, at the request of RCH, completed further heat flushing and cleaning of all hot water outlets across the hospital.

As a precautionary measure, RCH has closed its hydrotherapy pool to allow the additional cleaning and testing to occur. The hydrotherapy pool, cooling towers, air conditioning and all other parts of the hospital are unaffected.

Symptoms of infection usually become apparent between two and 10 days after exposure, and may include flu-like symptoms including cough, headache, fever, body aches and pains as well as vomiting and diarrhoea.

Legionella is a common organism in the wider community, present in many water sources in the environment. There have been no reported cases of Legionnaires disease in people under 20 in Victoria. Those most at risk include adults on immune-suppressant drugs, people with chronic illness and smokers aged over 50 years of age.

Media enquiries, Rebecca McLean, Media Manager – 0466 150 947 or rebecca.mclean@rch.org.au