A palliative patient at Brisbane's Wesley Hospital has tested positive for the deadly legionella pneumophila disease.
The bacteria has also been detected in an ice machine on the palliative care ward and other patients are being monitored.
In 2013 the hospital was effectively shut down for about a fortnight after a patient died from the lung infection and a second patient contracted it.
It isn't clear whether the patient in the most recent case used the ice machine but traces of the disease haven't been found anywhere else at the facility.
Hospital CEO Terence Seymour says it could take several weeks to determine the source of the contamination as the patient spent time away from the hospital during the exposure period.
"A full scientific investigation of the water supply is underway to determine where exposure to the legionella bacteria may have occurred," he said.
"Let me reassure all patients, their families and our staff that we continue to be very vigilant on water safety."
Mr Seymour said the hospital followed strict water management measures but as a precaution all ice machines had been disconnected and sterilised and all hoses and filters were being replaced.
Following the 2013 outbreak hospitals and nursing homes in Queensland were required by law to conduct regular water tests for the bacteria, which causes legionnaires' disease.
Wesley Hospital was cleared of any negligence following an investigation.
Legionella pneumophila thrive in warm water and in man-made environments such as inside plumbing fixtures and pipes.
Legionnaires' disease is relatively uncommon in people under 50 - people with a weak immune system, such as those with a chronic medical condition, are at more risk than others.
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