Legionella outbreak in Linz causes three deaths

A Legionella outbreak in Linz, Austria, has resulted in 32 infections and three deaths over a six-week period. Health authorities are investigating potential sources, with large industrial cooling and air conditioning systems being a primary suspect. One cooling system belonging to a commercial enterprise in the Linz-Leonding area recently tested positive for the bacteria and has been decommissioned for disinfection.

Helmut Salzer, an infectious disease specialist at the Kepler University Hospital, noted that the bacteria spread through fine water aerosols that can be carried by wind over several kilometers. While Salzer stated that the “individual risk is low,” he emphasized the seriousness of the outbreak. He recommended implementing mandatory disinfection regulations for such systems and creating a central registry for industrial cooling equipment to improve tracking and prevention.

Factors contributing to the rise in Legionella cases include an aging population, climate change, and the increased use of cooling technologies during heatwaves. Authorities continue to conduct extensive investigations to identify all potential infection sources.