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British Hospital Water Supply Linked to Two Deaths and 40 Infections

10:03 PM ETConfirmed

Health Desk

In Short: A renowned British hospital has grappled with a seven-year bacterial outbreak in its water supply, linked to two deaths and 40 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 40 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 came from the water supply of the hospital where they were receiving lung transplants.

The outbreak was first detected in 2018, and environmental sampling revealed it stemmed from the new building's water system.

Despite the installation of point-of-use filters on taps, which were effective in removing mycobacterium from filtered water samples, patients were still at risk from drain traps and toilets.

No further cases have been identified since June 2025, coinciding with a review of enhanced flushing.

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 paper highlights that people can acquire an infection and get symptoms straight away, some may not get symptoms until many years later, and some may never get any symptoms at all.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• A renowned British hospital has grappled with a seven-year bacterial outbreak in its water supply, linked to two deaths and 40 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 came from the water supply of the hospital where they were receiving lung transplants.
• The outbreak was first detected in 2018, and environmental sampling revealed it stemmed from the new building's water system.
• Despite the installation of point-of-use filters on taps, which were effective in removing mycobacterium from filtered water samples, patients were still at risk from drain traps and toilets.
• No further cases have been identified since June 2025, coinciding with a review of enhanced flushing.
• 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 paper highlights that people can acquire an infection and get symptoms straight away, 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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Sources

• Bssnewslink
• News9Livelink
• BBClink
• Englishlink
• STATlink
• Worcesternewslink
• Ronjohnsonlink
• Statelinelink
• ScienceAlertlink
• The Indian Expresslink
• WarpBeat — background on British Hospital Water Supply Linked to Two Deaths and 38 Infections link
• WarpBeat — background on British Hospital's Water Supply Linked to Two Deaths and 40 Infections Over Seven Years link