A HOSPITAL has revealed there have been two suspected cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in recent weeks.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich has had two patients showing symptoms of the disease, a serious form of pneumonia caused by water-borne bacteria.

Both of the cases are being investigated by the Health Protection Agency, which was sent samples by the hospital.

One of the patients has since been discharged and it is suspected they acquired their disease from the hospital.

Another patient is still being treated, although it is believed the sufferer caught the disease outside of Queen Elizabeth’s.

A spokesman for the South London Healthcare Trust, which runs the hospital, said precautions had been taken according to the Queen Elizabeth’s control plan.

The Health and Safety Executive has also offered advice on the water testing required to trace where the disease may have come from.

A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency confirmed it was investigating two cases.

He said: “It has not been established where the patients may have acquired their infection or that the hospital is the source and there is no evidence that the two cases are linked.

“There are many possible sources for Legionnaires’ Disease in the wider environment generally.

“No further patients in the hospital have shown symptoms of the disease and we would like to reassure patients and visitors that Legionnaires’ cannot be spread from person to person.”

The trust spokesman said: “We will continue to drive forward improvements in reducing health care acquired infections, to ensure that patients receive safe care that conforms to nationally agreed best practice.”