Christ Hospital reports three patients tested positive for Legionella

Staff, patients, and guests are currently using bottled water at the Christ Hospital's main campus in Mount Auburn after three patients tested positive for the presence of Legionella.

Legionella are a bacteria most commonly found in water including groundwater, fresh, and marine surface waters and potable water, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

In a statement Saturday, the Christ Hospital Health Network said it remains "inconclusive where the patients contracted the bacteria" but consistent with its preparedness policies, the hospital immediately began an increased number of water testing protocols and started an investigation. The hospital said the bottled water measure is being done "out of an abundance of caution."

"We have an extensive water treatment program in place and will continue to adhere to advanced safety protocols and guidelines in coordination with City of Cincinnati Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Health," the statement said. "We continue with normal hospital operations with no interruption to patient care."

Legionnaires' disease:Reports up more than fivefold since 2000; oversight is lacking

The Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires' disease, a serious type of pneumonia. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionnaires' disease can occur when individuals breathe in small droplets of water or accidentally swallow water "containing Legionella into the lungs."

Health departments across the U.S. report about 10,000 cases of Legionnaires' disease each year, but the disease is believed to be underdiagnosed, according to the CDC.