IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Disease causing bacteria have been found at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Hospital, but officials have not informed patients about the problem.  The Des Moines Register reports  the VA is planning to spend $6.5 million to address the legionella bacteria that has been found in the hospital’s water pipes.

VA pathologist Stacy Klutts says the bacteria are at low levels, so there is little risk of infection at this point. And officials say they have been able to control the problem. But critics say patients should be informed so they can make their own decisions, especially because so many VA patients are elderly.

Vietnam War veteran Dick Allison, who used to work at the hospital, says he’s upset administrators aren’t being upfront with the public about the bacteria.