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Legionnaires’-causing bacteria found at Trinity Rock Island hospital; state halts surgeries
KWQC • • health
Key Points:
- UnityPoint Health – Trinity Rock Island has halted surgeries after Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease, was detected in the hospital's air conditioning cooling towers.
- The Rock Island County Health Department ordered the suspension of surgeries until tests confirm the bacteria is no longer present.
- The hospital remains open and patients are considered safe, as the contamination was confined to an outdoor area outside the main building and the HVAC system vents outdoors.
- The hospital is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health and experts to clean and retest the cooling towers, while maintaining patient comfort and essential services without air conditioning.
- Legionnaires’ disease is a serious pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, with about a 10% fatality rate according to the CDC, and cooling towers are common sources of the bacteria.
