# Legionella outbreak in Linz and Leonding, Austria > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legionella-outbreak-in-linz-austria > Updated: 2026-08-27T17:43:56.000Z. Sources: 29. Developments: 5. Health authorities in Linz and Leonding, Upper Austria, are investigating a Legionella outbreak that has caused 32 confirmed illnesses and three deaths since July 20. As of late August, five individuals remain hospitalized, with one patient in intensive care. Investigations have expanded beyond the initial findings at a Linz AG cooling tower, where Legionella pneumophila (subtype Allentown) was identified. Recent testing of a cooling system at a commercial facility in Leonding also returned a positive result for the bacteria. This system has since been shut down and disinfected. While a separate cooling system in an industrial area east of the A7 motorway also tested positive for Legionella, microbiological and epidemiological analyses indicate there is “no current link” between that facility and the ongoing outbreak. To pinpoint the exact source, health officials, including the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), have collected approximately 200 water samples from various locations, including workplaces, households, and accommodation businesses. While genetic testing continues to determine if specific systems are the primary cause, authorities are working with affected companies to implement disinfection measures. The incident has prompted calls from TÜV Austria for a centralized register of cooling towers in Vienna, similar to German systems, to allow authorities to “rapidly identify and inspect potential sources during an outbreak.” ## Claims - The number of Legionella cases in the Linz area has risen to 32. (disputed by 5 sources) - At least 26 people have fallen ill due to a legionellosis outbreak in Linz. (disputed by 2 sources) - Three people have died as a result of the Legionella outbreak. (corroborated by 5 sources) - A cooling system at a commercial business in Linz-Leonding tested positive for Legionella. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Five patients are currently receiving inpatient treatment. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Authorities have collected approximately 200 water samples from households, workplaces, and technical facilities. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The cooling system in Linz-Leonding was shut down and disinfected. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Legionella found in a cooling system east of the A7 motorway are not currently linked to the Linz outbreak. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Legionella bacteria were detected in cooling towers belonging to Linz AG. (single source) - Two infected individuals currently reside abroad but had visited Linz before falling ill. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: Linz Legionella outbreak causes 32 illnesses and 3 deaths A Legionella outbreak in Linz, Austria, has caused 32 illnesses and three deaths. Authorities have identified a positive cooling system in Linz-Leonding and are investigating potential infection sources. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/legionella-outbreak-in-linz-and-leonding-causes-31-infections ### 2026-08-25: Linz Legionella outbreak causes 30 illnesses and 3 deaths A Legionella outbreak in Linz, Austria, has caused 30 illnesses and three deaths. Authorities are investigating cooling towers as a potential source, prompting calls for a centralized registry. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/legionella-outbreak-in-linz-reaches-29-cases-and-three-deaths ### 2026-08-23: Linz authorities use AI to trace Legionnaires' disease source Authorities in Linz are using artificial intelligence to help locate the source of a Legionnaires' disease outbreak that has caused 28 infections and three deaths. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/linz-authorities-use-ai-to-trace-legionnaires-disease-source ### 2026-08-20: Linz legionellosis outbreak causes three deaths and 26 illnesses A legionellosis outbreak in Linz, Austria, has caused 26 illnesses and three deaths. Authorities have detected bacteria in Linz AG cooling towers and are using AI and satellite data to find the source. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/linz-legionellosis-outbreak-causes-three-deaths-and-26-illnesses ### 2026-08-12: Linz authorities identify potential Legionella source Authorities in Linz, Austria, have identified cooling towers at a local company as a potential source of a Legionella outbreak that has sickened 22 people. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/linz-authorities-identify-potential-legionella-source --- Cite as: Legionella outbreak in Linz and Leonding, Austria. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legionella-outbreak-in-linz-austria