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British Hospital's Water Supply Linked to Two Deaths and 38 Infections Over Seven Years
Confirmed
In Short: A renowned British hospital has grappled with a seven-year bacterial outbreak in its water supply, linked to two deaths and 38 infections, according to a coroner's inquest and a new scientific paper.
A renowned British hospital has grappled with a seven-year bacterial outbreak in its water supply, linked to two deaths and 38 infections, 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 the hospital's new building, and environmental sampling revealed that the source was the building's water system.
Despite the installation of point-of-use filters on taps, which were found to be effective, patients were still at risk from drain traps and toilets.
Dr Smith, the hospital's medical director, expressed condolences to those affected and acknowledged that the hospital followed national guidance for water safety testing and management.
The new paper, led by members of the UK Health Security Agency and the Royal Papworth Hospital's medical director, offers new detail into the outbreak.
The hospital has not identified any further cases since June 2025, coinciding with a review of enhanced flushing.
The hospital's medical director noted that people can acquire an infection and get symptoms immediately, some may not get symptoms until many years later, and some may never get any symptoms at all.
What this adds
The outbreak has been ongoing for seven years, with the hospital taking immediate and robust action once the situation was identified.
The hospital's enhanced flushing review has coincided with no further identified cases since June 2025.
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 grappled with a seven-year bacterial outbreak in its water supply, linked to two deaths and 38 infections, 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 the hospital's new building, and environmental sampling revealed that the source was the building's water system.
- Despite the installation of point-of-use filters on taps, which were found to be effective, patients were still at risk from drain traps and toilets.
- Dr Smith, the hospital's medical director, expressed condolences to those affected and acknowledged that the hospital followed national guidance for water safety testing and management.
- The new paper, led by members of the UK Health Security Agency and the Royal Papworth Hospital's medical director, offers new detail into the outbreak.
- The hospital has not identified any further cases since June 2025, coinciding with a review of enhanced flushing.
- The hospital's medical director noted that people can acquire an infection and get symptoms immediately, some may not get symptoms until many years later, and some may never get any symptoms at all.
What's still developing
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