A UK hospital run by the National Health Service (NHS) has acknowledged that a deadly pathogen has infected its water supply.
Reports show traces of the terrifying bacterium were discovered, prompting the large Wiltshire hospital to quickly bring in specialists.
Great Western Hospital’s water tested positive for the potentially fatal Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is one of the most dangerous bacteria in the world and may infect humans. People with compromised immune systems are at risk of dying from this illness.
The government website warns that it may infect those with compromised immune systems, such as infants and persons with cancer, severe burns, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis.
It may be transmitted from person to person by physical contact and can cause skin irritations, rashes, or ear infections in otherwise healthy individuals.
People in critical care and burn units are more likely to contract it.
According to a medical reference, Pseudomonas infections may manifest in several ways. You risk being ill if you consume tainted produce since it may grow on fruits and vegetables.
Pools, hot tubs, restrooms, kitchens, and sinks are all ideal habitats for this pest.
Hospitals have the highest rate of serious infections. Humidifiers and improperly cleaned medical equipment, such as catheters, are ideal environments for the spread of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Additionally, healthcare providers might infect you with germs from a sick patient if they do not adequately wash their hands.
This hospital provides services to the following counties: Wiltshire, North East Somerset, sections of Bath and North East Somerset, West Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset, Hampshire, and Gloucestershire.
Last month, the contamination was acknowledged by Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Last year, the Trust discovered pseudomonas in many sections of the hospital’s water system, according to a spokesman. Many water systems include traces of pseudomonas, a bacterium often found in water.
The spokesman said that the level of Pseudomonas has been much lower since the stringent infection control, improvement of cleaning methods, and installation of filters on some faucets. There is little chance of illness spreading to patients or employees, and the water system is operating normally.
Genomic analysis of hospitalized patients by the UK Health Security Agency found no correlation between the prevalence of infections and the prevalence of pseudomonas.
