Linz Legionnaires’ disease outbreak sickens 32 and kills three

Thirty-two people in the greater Linz area have contracted Legionnaires’ disease and three have died, ORF reported. Investigations into possible sources of the infections are continuing, according to the Upper Austria state government, the Linz-Land district authority, the Linz municipal authority and the Agency for Health and Food Safety.

Health authorities have taken about 200 water samples from households, businesses, accommodation facilities and technical installations since the outbreak began. Most have already been analysed by the Agency for Health and Food Safety’s reference laboratory. Five patients are still receiving hospital treatment.

Legionella pneumophila bacteria were detected in a cooling system at a commercial business in the Linz-Leonding area, around Doppl and Haidfeldstraße. Authorities said the system was immediately shut down and disinfected. Further samples will be taken after cleaning to determine whether the measures were successful.

Legionella had also been detected earlier this week in a cooling system at a company in the industrial area east of the Mühlkreis motorway, or A7. Following further microbiological tests, authorities currently see no connection between that system and the current outbreak.

The assessment is based on both a technical evaluation of the installation and an epidemiological analysis of the outbreak, the authorities said in a joint statement. Typing of the bacteria has so far found no microbiological indication of a link.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia that can be fatal. People are mainly infected by inhaling fine water droplets containing Legionella bacteria, which occur naturally in water and soil. Drinking contaminated water generally does not pose an infection risk, according to the authorities.

Older people, smokers, people with weakened immune systems and those with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or chronic lung disease are particularly vulnerable. Experts recommend allowing water to run for an adequate period after long periods of stagnation and regularly servicing hot-water systems to reduce the risk.