Linz Legionella outbreak causes 30 illnesses and 3 deaths

A Legionella outbreak in Linz, Austria, has resulted in at least 30 confirmed cases and three deaths since July 20. While investigations are ongoing, authorities have not yet definitively confirmed the exact source of the infection.

Genetic analysis of water samples from a cooling tower operated by Linz AG revealed the presence of Legionella pneumophila (subtype Allentown), which matches the subtype found in three patients. In response, Linz AG has cleaned, disinfected, and switched the facility to dry operation to prevent further bacterial growth.

Following the incident, TÜV Austria has called for the creation of a centralized register for cooling towers in Vienna, similar to existing systems in Germany. Experts argue that such a registry would allow authorities to rapidly identify and inspect potential sources during an outbreak, rather than spending days or weeks searching for them. Currently, there is no comprehensive official overview of all open cooling systems in the capital, which are used in hospitals, hotels, and data centers.