The state Department of Public Health (DPH) today confirmed that a second individual connected to Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) in Middletown initially suspected of having Legionnaires’ disease has tested negative for the infection. On August 9th, DPH and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) announced that a patient at Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) had been diagnosed with legionellosis, a bacterial infection that causes pneumonia-like symptoms, commonly known as Legionnaires’ disease. At that time, the second suspected case was awaiting the results of confirmatory tests, which were received earlier today.
"I am pleased to report that the second individual suspected of having Legionnaires’ disease did not, in fact, have the disease and that both individuals are doing well. This appears to be an isolated case of legionellosis, which is not uncommon in Connecticut, where we see 50 to 80 cases each year," said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino.
"We have taken the possibility of the presence of the legionella bacteria at Connecticut Valley Hospital very seriously," said DMHAS Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon. "Remediation efforts, including cleaning HVAC systems, have begun at the hospital and will continue until all potential sources of the bacteria have been thoroughly addressed.