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The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has launched a formal investigation into a potential Legionnaires’ outbreak at The Christ Hospital in Mt. Auburn. Additional cases were identified in December 2025, ODH said.
Officials confirmed that there are patients who recently developed the severe form of pneumonia during their stays at the facility.
The Christ Hospital coordinates with state experts to contain the Legionnaires’ outbreak
State and local health authorities are currently working to identify the source of a recent Legionnaires’ outbreak that has affected multiple patients at the hospital’s main campus.
According to Ohio Department of Health, the six confirmed cases were identified in late October 2025. Three of them have already died.
This cluster has prompted the Cincinnati Health Department (CHD) and Hamilton County Public Health to join the Ohio Department of Health in a comprehensive environmental assessment of the building’s complex water systems.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection caused by the Legionella bacteria, which thrives in warm, stagnant water. While the bacteria are common in nature, they become a public health threat when they multiply in man-made structures. These include cooling towers, hot tubs, and large-scale hospital plumbing.
Patients in healthcare settings are often at higher risk due to compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions.
Statement of the city health department
In a statement obtained by FOX19 from the city health department, the latter said that the initial cases prompted the ODH to do an investigation.
“When additional cases were identified in December 2025, it prompted further investigation by both ODH and CHD , including a site visit by ODH surveyors. The hospital has since taken additional measures, including chlorination,” the ODH said.
As of writing, ODH has not yet revealed the number of additional cases in December.
Immediate safety protocols during the Legionnaires’ outbreak
The Christ Hospital Health Network released a statement emphasizing that they are taking aggressive steps to ensure patient safety. The investigation remains ongoing. As reported by Becker’s Hospital Review, the facility has initiated intensive water testing across the entire main campus.
Furthermore, maintenance teams have begun installing specialized medical-grade filters on faucets and shower heads in patient rooms to mitigate any potential exposure.
Hospital officials stated that they routinely monitor and treat their water systems as part of standard safety practices. Despite the recent cases, the network maintains that the risk to the general public, visitors, and staff members remains very low.
There has been no indication that the municipal water supply serving the surrounding Mt. Auburn area is contaminated. This suggests the issue is likely localized to the hospital’s internal infrastructure.
Understanding the clinical impact of a Legionnaires’ outbreak
The Legionella bacteria cause a severe type of pneumonia when microscopic water droplets are inhaled into the lungs. This can happen through simple daily activities such as showering, using a humidifier, or being near a decorative fountain.
It is important to note that the disease is not contagious and cannot be spread through person-to-person contact, which helps limit the scope of such incidents.
According to data provided by the Ohio Department of Health, symptoms of the infection typically include high fever, cough, shortness of breath, and muscle aches. In some cases, patients may also experience confusion or gastrointestinal issues.
Because the symptoms mirror those of the flu or other types of pneumonia, laboratory testing is required for a definitive diagnosis. Early intervention with antibiotics is critical for successful recovery, particularly for elderly patients.
Patient advocacy and legal considerations for the Legionnaires’ outbreak
When a Legionnaires’ outbreak occurs in a clinical setting, it often leads to questions regarding facility maintenance and “duty of care.” Legal experts specializing in healthcare-acquired infections note that hospitals are required to have a water management plan in place. This is important to prevent the growth of hazardous bacteria.
If investigations reveal that a hospital failed to follow its own safety protocols, it could face significant liability.
Families of affected patients are currently awaiting the final results of the state’s environmental testing. While the hospital has stated the source is “inconclusive” at this time, the presence of the cases in such a short period strongly suggests a common exposure point within the facility.
The Ohio Department of Health typically requires several weeks to culture water samples. This helps provide a definitive link between the bacteria found in the plumbing and the bacteria found in the patients.
- High-risk groups: Individuals over 50, current or former smokers, and those with chronic lung disease.
- Common sources: Showerheads, faucets, cooling towers, and large air conditioning systems.
- Prevention methods: Proper chlorination, temperature control, and the elimination of “dead legs” in plumbing.
- Diagnosis: Identified through specialized urine antigen tests or sputum cultures.
Next steps for The Christ Hospital and health investigators
As the investigation continues, The Christ Hospital has pledged full transparency with the public and regulatory bodies. They continue to provide bottled water for drinking in certain units as an “abundance of caution,” echoing measures taken during previous water quality concerns.
The Cincinnati Health Department will continue to monitor the facility’s remedial actions to ensure that the bacteria are completely eradicated from the system.
For now, the hospital remains fully operational. Scheduled surgeries and appointments are proceeding as planned. Patients with concerns about their recent stay at the hospital are encouraged to contact their primary care physician. This should be done if they develop respiratory symptoms. The Ohio Department of Health will release a final report once the source of the Legionnaires’ outbreak is confirmed. Alternatively, it will do so when the environment is cleared of further risk.
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