Man Dies Of Legionnaires' Disease At Wesley Hospital In Brisbane The Wesley Hospital, in Brisbane's inner-west. Photo: Australian Traffic Network Water systems at all Queensland public hospitals will be tested following the deadly outbreak of legionnaires' disease at a private Brisbane hospital. A 46-year-old woman is now in intensive care after becoming the second patient at the Wesley Hospital to contract legionnaires' disease. A 60-year-old man died on Sunday after contracting the disease at the hospital, which has since cancelled all admissions and closed its emergency department. Wesley Hospital infectious disease specialist Paul Bartley and UnitingCare Health executive director Richard Royle address media. Photo: Seven News Potentially exposed: the numbers It has emerged that 2300 staff, 1400 former patients and 480 current patients at the hospital may have been exposed to the potentially deadly Legionella bacteria through the facility's hot water system. As a result, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has ordered that water supplies at all Queensland public hospitals be tested for the bacteria. He has advised operators of private hospitals to do the same. '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. The Wesley's infectious disease specialist, Dr Paul 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 Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette 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. 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. Who is most at risk Any patient discharged from the Wesley who has concerns has been asked to contact their hospital health specialist or call (07) 3232 7316. with Amy Remeikis and Tony Moore