Two deaths now linked to deadly bacteria found in this N.J. hospital’s water system

A second patient has died in a North Jersey hospital after being infected with a deadly bacteria that was discovered in the facility’s water system.

The unidentified patient tested positive for Legionella, a type of bacteria that can cause a serious form of pneumonia, after being treated at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson.

The hospital issued warnings to patients and visitors in mid-December after a state Department of Health inspection confirmed the presence of the bacteria.

Pamela Garretson, a spokesperson for the hospital, said in a statement that the patient faced “significant underlying health challenges” before testing positive for Legionella.

“Our thoughts remain with their families and loved ones during this difficult time,” she added.

In July, an unidentified patient with multiple underlying conditions also died after testing positive for Legionella, according to St. Joseph’s Health, which owns the hospital.

The state notified St. Joseph’s of the positive test results on Dec. 8, prompting the hospital to begin cleaning and treating its water system, officials said.

The health system is also contacting 228 former patients who were treated in the affected area between Nov. 27 and Dec. 8 to alert them about potential infection risks.

No other patients or cases of Legionella are being investigated, Garretson said on Friday.

Garretson said the hospital received the most recent water test results, which confirmed that the hospital’s water system is now safe for drinking.

Garretson added that the hospital will continue to monitor and test the water systems regularly to ensure a safe environment for patients and their families, as well as work with local and state health officials.

She said hospital staff took “aggressive” measures, including hiring an environmental water consultant, implementing enhanced safety protocols, conducting extensive testing with the state and initiating remediation efforts.

Hospital staff went ‘beyond’ state requirements, sanitizing the entire campus to ensure a clean environment, Garretson said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia or lung infection caused by the Legionella bacteria. It causes symptoms that can include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle aches and headache.

Symptoms typically develop within 14 days of exposure, but can take longer. Although most healthy people exposed to Legionella won’t get sick, others are at increased risk, including those already hospitalized for other conditions.

People over 50, particularly smokers, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for developing the disease.

About 250 to 350 cases of Legionnaires are reported each year throughout New Jersey, according to the state Department of Health.

Last year, 224 cases were diagnosed in the state.