Legionella found in Qld hospital water

Legionella bacteria found in the water supply of a hospital north of Brisbane has not harmed any patients or staff, Queensland health authorities say.

The Redcliffe Hospital's regular water quality testing procedures have turned up traces of the Legionella bacteria in some areas.

The test results mean the facility will now need to isolate affected areas then flush and chlorinate the water system.

Additional testing was being carried out on Wednesday, Queensland Health said.

"Most importantly, there has been no known case of legionella among patients or staff and any risk is low," the department said.

The bacteria was commonly found in the environment, said Metro North Public Health physician Madhumati Chatterji.

But Dr Chatterji said Legionnaires' disease itself was uncommon.

Legionnaires' disease is not spread from person to person, but by way of the inhalation of tiny water droplets in the air.

People with a weak immune system, such as those with a chronic medical condition, are at more risk than others.

Queensland's hospitals and public aged care facilities have had to test their water supplies for bacteria since a legionella outbreak at Brisbane's Wesley Hospital in 2013 resulted in the death of a patient.

The hospital was effectively shut down for about a fortnight after the patient died from the lung infection and a second patient contracted it.

Wesley Hospital was cleared of any negligence following an investigation.

In January, a palliative patient at the same hospital tested positive for the disease and the bacteria was also found in an ice machine on the palliative care ward.

Last month, the government flagged changes that would make all Legionella test results from hospitals and aged care facilities public.