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Secret Legionella infections in Vorarlberg: Authorities remain silent!
A Legionella outbreak in Vorarlberg caused around 50 cases of illness in 2025. Authorities are investigating, but there is no transparency.
Secret Legionella infections in Vorarlberg: Authorities remain silent!
In 2025, there was a Legionella outbreak in Vorarlberg that made life difficult for around 50 people. The affected people contracted Legionnaires' disease, which is caused by the bacteria of the genus Legionella. The 5min reports that the Feldkirch public prosecutor's office has now started an investigation, while the health authorities spent weeks searching for the source of the infection.
Over 220 samples were collected and analyzed from potential sources such as cooling towers, doctor's offices, swimming pools and car washes. Despite the official declaration that the outbreak has been “managed,” it remains unclear how the infections actually came about. In order to protect affected companies, many details about identifying the sources of infection remain secret. The state of Vorarlberg refuses to provide information due to data protection and official secrecy. It is also known that a cooling tower was identified as a potential source in March and remediated, but without a public warning being issued.
Investigations and transparency
The responsible authorities decided to wait for the incubation period before informing the population and giving the all-clear. This approach is viewed critically because, from an open communication perspective, greater transparency could potentially prevent future cases. ORF Vorarlberg sent a request to the Bregenz district administration, but there was no response. The fear of naming companies that have Legionella but are not harboring dangerous strains appears to influence reporting.
The risks of Legionella
Legionella is not only widespread, but can also cause severe pneumonia, which in the worst case can be fatal. A tragic example comes from 2004, when a man in Klagenfurt died after becoming infected from an uncontrolled shower. Experts from the Robert Koch Institute explain that not all Legionella are pathogenic and that there are also “safe” variants. The RKI provides comprehensive information on Legionnaires' disease and emphasizes the importance of monitoring domestic drinking water installations for prevention.
In connection with legionellosis, a study on the influence of drinking water temperature on the incidence was recently published. It was also recommended to consider Legionella in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia. This dual focus on prevention and surveillance is critical for public health. The incidents in Vorarlberg urge us not only to shed light on these issues, but also to take effective measures to prevent future outbreaks.