Bacteria that can cause potentially-lethal Legionnaires' disease have been detected in water sources at a number of hospitals in rural Queensland.
Hospitals throughout the state are required to release the results of testing for Legionella bacteria every quarter.
Some species of the bacteria can cause severe infections with pneumonia-like symptoms, which can lead to kidney failure and even death if not treated properly, according to state government advice.
Hospitals in Barcaldine, Blackall, Longreach and Cunnamulla have detected Legionella bacteria in water sample testing performed across the last half of 2017 and the first half of this year.
Barcaldine Hospital tested 121 water samples for the bacteria, detecting it in 62 instances, or just over 50 per cent of samples tested, data from Queensland Health showed.
At Blackall Hospital Legionella was detected in 25 of 75 samples tested, while at Longreach Hospital Legionella was found in 14 of 61 water samples.
Legionella was found in 22 of 86 samples tested at Cunnamulla Hospital in the first half of 2018, while six out of 50 samples tested positive for the bacteria in Alpha.
Roma Hospital and Winton Hospital did not detect Legionella in any of their testing.
Charleville Hospital identified Legionella in just one sample out of 423 reported tests.
Queensland Health said that since 2017 no cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been confirmed to be caused by exposure to Legionella in a hospital setting.
In 2017 Queensland Health introduced a stringent new testing regime for Legionella, requiring the public release of water sampling data.
“Queensland Health has some of the most stringent water risk management requirements for public and private health facilities in Australia, including mandatory scheduled testing for and reporting of Legionella,” a Queensland Health spokesman said.
“All Queensland Health hospitals, as well as private health facilities, now have water risk management plans that identify the hazards associated with their water systems, assess the risks, and show how these risks must be managed to ensure the safety of patients and staff within each facility.”
Hospitals in western Queensland face unique challenges when it comes to keeping a lid on Legionella in water supplies.
Earlier this year, representatives from the Central West Hospital and Health service described how Legionella could be particularly problematic in outback towns reliant on bore water.
The service’s chief executive Jane Hancock said problems could be caused by hot bore water that had to be cooled before use.
“It is this cooling process that provides a good environment in which the Legionella bacteria can establish themselves and grow,’’ she said earlier this year.
“In addition, bore water-sourced municipal supplies in many rural areas may not be chlorinated, which also provides opportunity for Legionella bacteria to establish themselves.’’
Ms Hancock also said that a positive Legionella detection didn’t automatically equate to a health risk.
“The risks for staff, patients and visitors are low as the Legionella bacteria must be inhaled in the form of water droplets to have any chance of being infectious.
“It is generally only those people that are particularly vulnerable, sick or immune-compromised who are susceptible to infection.’’
The central west health service’s executive director Dr David Rimmer said earlier this year that it was not surprising to detect Legionella in western Queensland hospitals.
“We’re being open – it’s there, it’s business as usual, and we’re treating it,” he said in March.