A hospital staffer tests the water temperature at the Wesley Hospital, Brisbane. Credit:Natalie Bochenski Mr Royle said any patients booked for admission before the middle of next week should contact their specialist to make alternative arrangements. Ten to 12 Wesley surgical patients have been transferred to the St Andrews War Memorial Hospital and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital, including maternity cases. Mr Royle said the hospital had contacted more than 250 of the 1400 patients who were discharged since May 25. "These calls take time - we have over 20 of our senior registered nurses either making or taking these calls, and we will do this until we’ve fully completed this task."

Dr Paul Bartley and Richard Royle from the Wesley Hospital brief media on the legionnaires' disease outbreak. Credit:Natalie Bochenski Flushing the taps Maintenance staff began the process of flushing the hospital’s water pipes on Thursday. Thermostatic mix valves outside each room were turned to 65 degrees Celsius, shower and sink taps turned up to that temperature, then left to run for 10 minutes to kill off any bacteria. Infectious Diseases physician Paul Bartley said the pipes and taps remained the likely source of the bacterial growth - even though the confirmed cases were in different wards on different systems.

"The level of contamination is not in the hot water systems or the hot water pipes per se, it’s the level beyond that where the water is cooler," he said. "Confirmatory testing has been taken after that cleaning process has taken place to be sure that treatment has worked, should the germ have been there in the first place." More testing required? Dr Bartley said Queensland hospitals were not required to regularly test hot water systems for Legionnaires disease, and it had never been done at the Wesley. Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young said other states have more specific requirements.

"We’re looking at that now whether we’ll introduce those requirements for all hospitals in Queensland." She said this was the first outbreak (meaning two or more cases) of Legionnaires in Queensland history. Health Minister Lawrence Springborg announced earlier on Wednesday that all hot water systems at Queensland hospitals would be tested for legionella. 'Unprecedented' situation UnitingCare Health executive director Richard Royle says the situation is ‘‘extraordinary and unprecedented".

The Legionella bacteria has been found in the hot water system and bathrooms in the hospital's east wing, where the late 60-year-old man was being treated. The second patient, who was receiving cancer treatment, was in the hospital's west wing. As a result, hospital staff are in the process of contacting 1400 patients who have been discharged from the hospital since May 25. Testing continues No Legionella bacteria was found in the hospital's air conditioning system during routine testing last month, but authorities are awaiting the results of further tests carried out after the outbreak was confirmed.

Dr Bartley said he was confident the bacteria was not in the air conditioning system. "I'm as certain as I can be," he said. Patient develops legionnaires' disease, dies The 60-year-old man, who was being treated for cancer and a variety of other health problems, is believed to have contracted the disease from warm bath water. All admissions and surgical procedures, including chemotherapy treatment, at the Wesley have been cancelled until further notice. The Wesley's emergency centre has been placed on bypass for all ambulance cases.

"This is a precaution until we know exactly the source of contamination. We will never put patients knowingly at risk and therefore the hospital cannot accept further patients at this point," Mr Royle said. Advice for expectant mothers Expectant mothers are also being advised to make alternative arrangements for births. The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital is on standby to receive up to 12 expectant mothers, or new mothers and their babies from the Wesley, if needed. Impact on the hospital system

Dr Young said she was not concerned about the pressure placed on other hospitals. ‘‘We do have a lot of capacity overall in Brisbane. We’re a large metropolitan city with a lot of hospitals, so I’m certainly not concerned,’’ she said. Engineers are continuing to disinfect the water supply across the hospital. Patients have been told not to take showers and wash kits have been handed out. A rare disease Queensland Health deals with an average of 20 cases of the rare Legionella bacteria, but Dr Young said this was the first time the bacteria had been found in a water system.

The 60-year-old Wesley patient returned a positive test for legionnaires’ disease on May 28. Water samples were collected from the hospital on May 29. Those cultures tested positive for the bacteria on June 5. The man died on June 2. 'A lightning strike event' Mr Royle described it as "a lightning strike event". "We are ensuring that we are doing everything we can humanly possibly do to minimise any further risk and we believe that leads to a significantly reduced risk to anybody,'' he said.

Legionnaires’ disease is often contracted through breathing in the Legionella bacteria, usually through very fine water droplets vented through cooling pipes and towers, such as air-conditioners. Where the bacteria is found It can also be found in hot water systems, shower heads, spas and soil and potting mix. But the disease can not be spread from person to person. It causes flu-like symptoms, including muscle aches and pains, fever, chills and headaches, followed by serious respiratory conditions such as pneumonia. Symptoms usually become evident within five to six days of breathing in the bacteria. Who is most at risk

Those with chronic lung diseases and compromised immune systems have an increased risk of contracting the disease. People over 50, diabetics and heavy drinkers and smokers are also considered to have a higher risk. Any patient discharged from the Wesley who has concerns has been asked to contact their hospital health specialist or call (07) 3232 7316. Loading Information has been made available on the Wesley Hospital website.

- Natalie Bochenski, Marissa Calligeros, Amy Remeikis and Tony Moore