Trending Now - Legionella Outbreak: Two Patients at Pittsburgh VA Confirmed Positive

WHO:

WTAE - Two patients at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center tested positive for Legionella.

WTAE - A spokesperson with the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System provided information regarding the water supply monitoring.

WHAT:

WTAE - The Pittsburgh VA Medical Center's water lines have been treated, flushed, and tested to ensure safety.

WTAE - The treatment was conducted out of an abundance of caution.

WPXI - Two patients at the Pittsburgh VA tested positive for Legionella.

WHERE:

WTAE - The location of the incident is the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center in Allegheny County.

WHY:

WTAE - Legionella is found naturally in freshwater and is especially prevalent in the northeast and midwest, including in Allegheny County.

HOW:

WTAE - The Pittsburgh VA Medical Center continuously monitors its water supply for Legionella and has not identified it in the water in several years.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 06:15 UTC)

Two patients at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center have tested positive for Legionella, prompting the facility to take immediate action by treating, flushing, and testing its water lines to ensure safety. A spokesperson from the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System confirmed that this treatment was conducted out of an abundance of caution, as Legionella is naturally found in freshwater and is particularly common in regions like Allegheny County. The Pittsburgh VA Medical Center has been actively monitoring its water supply for Legionella and has not detected any presence of the bacteria in several years.