Patients and staff at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center are being told to avoid the tap water after one patient tested positive for Legionnaire’s disease.
Hospital representatives said the test results were preliminary and that no other patients have tested positive.
Legionnaire’s is a type of pneumonia contracted when people breathe in water vapor or mist that’s been contaminated with the disease.
Patients have been told not to shower or use the sinks or water fountains.
Until the situation is resolved, the hospital is providing bottled water for drinking and pre-moistened towelettes for bathing.
“An administrative gentleman came around and put notes on bathroom doors and just ensuring that we remember not to use the sink,” said a patient.
“I love this hospital, but I’m very concerned about my mother. My mother has one kidney, and the one kidney she has left has cancer on it,” said one woman.
Hospital representatives said tests conducted on other patients and the water supply came back negative for Legionnaires.
Original article at: NY1 News