Veterans contract Legionnaires' disease from VA facility's water

ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 discovered three elderly veterans contracted a dangerous bacteria after moving in to a new Veterans Affairs facility in Lake Nona.

The veterans were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in July, and Health Department officials believe the bacteria was likely lingering in the water. One of the victims died after contracting the disease, but it was not the cause of death, officials said.

The Orlando Veterans Affairs Community Center opened in December, and it's the only part of the behind-schedule hospital project that's finished.

"It's isolated to this facility. Good news of it is two patients did recover. Unfortuantely one person did pass away, but that person had underlying health conditions," said Dain Weister, with the Orange County Health Department.

A Veterans Affairs spokesperson said the Health Department found traces of the bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease in the water. The disease is a severe form of pneumonia.

"It has to be breathed in through water vapor, the steam, those kinds of things. Typically, this is known to be a problem with hot tubs, showers, those shorts of things," said Weister.

While changes are made to the water system, showers at the facility are off limits, and there's restricted access to the bathrooms and sinks.

"For patients who feel uncomfortable being there, we would offer them a similar level of care at another facility until we get this worked out," said chief of staff at the facility, Dr. Kenneth Goldberg.

A VA spokesperson told Eyewitness News they're flushing the water lines on a daily basis and are monitoring the chlorine levels at the center.

WFTV