2 die of Legionnaires' disease in N.J. hospital

[September 25, 2008]  NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey health officials say two men have died after contracting Legionnaires' disease in a hospital.

Health Department spokeswoman Marilyn Riley said Wednesday that one died Sept. 12 and the other Monday at St. Peter's University Hospital in the city of New Brunswick.

Four other people at the hospital were found to have Legionnaires' over the past two weeks. All six were admitted with other serious illnesses.

The hospital is treating its water supply with chlorine to kill the bacteria and reviewing records to determine whether other patients might have contracted the disease.

Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia that can be spread through plumbing and air conditioning systems.

[Associated Press]

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