PITTSBURGH — Test results have confirmed the presence of legionella in two staff bathrooms at the Allegheny County Jail.
Jail officials announced the results Friday morning, adding that no legionella-related illnesses have been confirmed in staff or inmates.
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The jail began additional testing in July, after a routine check uncovered compounds that could be byproducts of legionella in the fixtures of two officer bathrooms.
Those bathrooms have been closed since the initial test results came back, officials say.
Legionella is a bacterium that can grow in water pipes. If a person inhales droplets, they can contract Legionnaires’ disease, a severe type of lung infection.
Testing and remediation efforts are now underway, aided by the Allegheny County Facilities Department and Allegheny County Health Department.
The jail is also working on a water management program guided by a multidisciplinary team to oversee cleaning, testing and remediation.
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