University Times

Lothrop Hall's water supply poses no health threat, according to recently completed testing by the county health department.

The health department had conducted tests for the Legionella bacterium after a Pitt custodial employee assigned to Lothrop Hall was diagnosed with Legionnaire's Disease.

Legionnaire's Disease is a pneumonia-like illness caused by Legionella, a non-contagious common bacterium. Typically, the disease is contracted by inhaling the Legionella bacteria in contaminated water droplets or mists or sprays in the air. Victims usually are adults over 50, especially smokers, and people with weakened immune systems.

According to Guillermo Cole of the Allegheny County Health Department, the water supply testing determined there was no health risk to Lothrop Hall residents.

"Only two of the seven samples taken of the water supply showed even low concentrations of the Legionella bacteria," Cole said.

Cole added that the victim could have contracted the disease just about anywhere. The 60-year-old victim, whose name has not been released, remains hospitalized, but his condition has been upgraded to good.

According to a statement issued by Pitt's Office of News and Information, the results of the health department tests "confirm the fact that there is no health risk for the students living in the building, and that there is no requirement for any action on the part of the University."

Although not required to do so, Pitt will take the added precaution of flushing out the water system in the dormitory. The procedure involves heating the water to 158 degrees and flushing the system at that temperature for 20 minutes.

"This is one of the processes that kills the Legionella bacteria," Cole said.

Pitt plans to do the disinfection process during the week of spring break (March 5-9).

–Peter Hart