Legionella closes Ballyboden Primary Care Centre

THE Ballyboden Primary Care Centre will be closed for two weeks following the detection of legionella bacteria in the building’s water supply.

On Monday of this week, the HSE confirmed that legionella was detected at several of the centre’s outlets, points at which water comes out such as taps, showers, toilets.

The centre has been temporarily closed, with all clinic-based appointments in the centre paused.

In an updated comment to The Echo on Wednesday, the HSE confirmed that the centre will be closed for two weeks to allow for necessary work to remove legionella from the building’s water supply.

A HSE spokesperson said: “Water sample tests in Ballyboden Primary Care Centre showed the presence of legionella at several outlets across the primary care centre.

“The expertise of a multidisciplinary team (including HSE Estates, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Infection Control among others) are engaged to support the urgent remediation of the situation.

“Work will continue to implement emergency actions and control measures in order to expedite the recommencement of services at the centre.”

The Covid-19 test centre in Ballyboden Primary Care Centre has also closed, with appointments available in Aston Quay, DCU, and Roebuck Road for people who meet the public health criteria for a PCR test.

According to information provided by the HSE, legionella bacteria are found in many types of water systems, with the bacteria multiplying in warm and stagnant water.

Legionella bacteria is aerosol generated and can cause a mild form of Legionnaires’ disease, which may produce symptoms including fever, chills, headache and muscle aches, the HSE said.