Legionella found in care bath at Kallham nursing home

Legionella bacteria were found in a care bath at the Kallham nursing home in Grieskirchen district, ORF Upper Austria reported. The bath was immediately closed and disinfected, according to the Grieskirchen-Eferding Social Welfare Association.

The association said the facility was not in regular use. Its director received the laboratory results on Monday evening, according to the Oberösterreichische Nachrichten newspaper.

Christoph Schweitzer, Grieskirchen district governor and head of the association, said hygiene measures began immediately. The affected pipes were flushed and the facility was thoroughly disinfected.

Another test is scheduled for Friday. Schweitzer said he expected it to show no remaining contamination, but the situation would continue to be monitored.

An anonymous email to media outlets referred to possible cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Schweitzer rejected the claim, saying the association knew of no infections.