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40 Patients Were Infected by a Hospital's Water Supply Across 6 Years
Confirmed
In Short: Solicitor Jatinder Paul said patients were admitted to the hospital in the hope of a better life, but the events that unfolded have been devastating for them and their families.
A renowned British hospital has been grappling with a seven-year bacterial outbreak in its water supply, which has been linked to two deaths and 38 other cases of infection, according to a coroner's inquest and a new scientific paper.
In 2025, the BBC reported that two women died after developing infections that likely originated from the water supply of the hospital where they were receiving lung transplants.
The outbreak was first detected in 2018, and subsequent environmental sampling revealed that the source of the problem was the new building's water system.
Despite the installation of point-of-use filters on taps, which were found to be effective in removing mycobacterium from filtered water samples, patients were still at risk from drain traps and toilets.
Dr Smith, the medical director of the hospital, expressed condolences to those affected and acknowledged that the hospital followed national guidance for water safety testing and management.
No further cases have been identified since June 2025, coinciding with a review of enhanced flushing procedures.
The new paper, led by members of the UK Health Security Agency and the hospital's medical director, offers new insights into the outbreak, highlighting that people can acquire infections with symptoms appearing immediately, years later, or not at all.
Background
A renowned British hospital faced a seven-year bacterial outbreak in its water supply, linked to two deaths and 38 infections.
What's confirmed
- A renowned British hospital has been grappling with a seven-year bacterial outbreak in its water supply, which has been linked to two deaths and 38 other cases of infection, according to a coroner's inquest and a new scientific paper.
- In 2025, the BBC reported that two women died after developing infections that likely originated from the water supply of the hospital where they were receiving lung transplants.
- The outbreak was first detected in 2018, and subsequent environmental sampling revealed that the source of the problem was the new building's water system.
- Despite the installation of point-of-use filters on taps, which were found to be effective in removing mycobacterium from filtered water samples, patients were still at risk from drain traps and toilets.
- Dr Smith, the medical director of the hospital, expressed condolences to those affected and acknowledged that the hospital followed national guidance for water safety testing and management.
- No further cases have been identified since June 2025, coinciding with a review of enhanced flushing procedures.
- The new paper, led by members of the UK Health Security Agency and the hospital's medical director, offers new insights into the outbreak, highlighting that people can acquire infections with symptoms appearing immediately, years later, or not at all.
What's still developing
- Solicitor Jatinder Paul said patients were admitted to "this world-renowned hospital… in the hope of a better life", the BBC reported.
- "The events that unfolded have been devastating for them and their families," Paul said.
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