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Legionella Detected at Children’s Hospital in Southern California

Legionella Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	4/21/2025
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Legionella Detected at Children’s Hospital in Southern California
Introduction	LA Testing provides PCR and traditional culture methods to quickly identify the pathogen that causes Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever from environmental samples to support water management programs that protect the public.
Huntington Beach, California, April 21, 2025 Multiple media outlets recently reported that a patient at a Children’s Hospital in California tested positive for Legionella, and subsequent testing of the water in the patient’s room showed a low level of contamination with the bacteria. The hospital has stated that no other patients tested positive and that the water system has been sanitized. People can develop Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever if they inhale water droplets or a mist that is contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Legionella can be found naturally in the environment and in some manmade environments, typically in water. These manmade sources may include cooling towers, potable water systems, hot tubs, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, and decorative fountains. “Legionnaires' disease can be fatal in up to 10% of diagnosed cases, so taking proactive measures to test water systems and mitigate exposure risks should be a central part of water management and infection control programs, especially when at-risk populations are involved,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “If an outbreak has already occurred, testing can also be instrumental for identifying the source of the bacteria to prevent further infections. Testing can also be used to confirm that water system disinfection efforts have been successful.” With multiple laboratories in California, LA Testing is pleased to offer laboratory services and specialized sampling supplies to detect Legionella and other microbial pathogens from environmental samples. In fact, LA Testing's South Pasadena and Huntington Beach laboratories are both CDC ELITE laboratories for Legionella testing. To learn more about Legionella or other infection control and environmental testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.