UAB Hospital fights Legionella outbreak

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — UAB Hospital is shocking part of its water system with chlorine, the latest response to an outbreak of deadly legionella bacteria. AL.com reports the hospital began the process on Friday night. The hospital's senior vice president for inpatient services Anthony Patterson says the chlorine treatment is meant to kill any bacteria that may be present. The hospital will limit water use until Saturday evening on the floors being treated. Patterson says the rest of the building will also be treated. Two of the nine people with infections died. The Centers for Disease Control and state and county health officials are working with the hospital. Hospital officials say no new infections have been reported since the water system was treated and flushed with 160-degree water May 7 to 9.