Legionella found at Hörsching barracks, but no soldiers infected

Legionella bacteria were found in sanitary facilities at the Hörsching military barracks, but none of the roughly 1,000 soldiers there became infected, ORF reported on Wednesday. The discovery came amid an outbreak in Linz that has sickened 32 people and killed three.

The bacteria were detected in facilities that soldiers do not regularly use. The barracks also has guest accommodation, which the military compares with hotel rooms. Because the rooms are not always occupied, the water remained unused long enough for the bacteria to develop, military spokesman Colonel Gerhard Oberreiter said.

Parts of the barracks’ drinking-water pipes are up to 90 years old. The affected showers were closed and subjected to a special flushing procedure. The military said the problem had been resolved by August.

A young man is still receiving intensive care for a Legionella infection at Kepler University Hospital in Linz. Three people died from the infection this summer, including an 81-year-old woman from Linz.

Genetic comparisons have identified water from a Linz AG cooling tower as the source of the infections, infectious disease specialist Helmut Salzer told ORF Upper Austria. Prosecutors have received a report over the death of the 81-year-old, but no investigative order has yet been issued.