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Several cases of Legionnaires' disease identified in the Albertville area
Press release
September 23, 2025
Seventeen cases of Legionnaires' disease have been identified in Savoie in recent days. All of them reside in or have been in the Albertville area. Investigations are underway to determine the source(s) of this contamination.
Context
Between September 16 and 22, 17 cases of Legionnaires' disease were diagnosed in patients who reside in or have been in the Albertville area. Six of these people required intensive care and one death.
Environmental and epidemiological investigations are currently being conducted by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Health Agency and Public Health France, in conjunction with the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing (DREAL), the Albertville town hall services and the Arlysère Urban Community services, as well as the National Reference Centre (CNR), to try to determine the origin of the contamination.
Doctors, and more broadly healthcare professionals in the sector, have been informed of the situation, in order to increase vigilance and quickly identify any patients presenting symptoms suggestive of this infection.
What are the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires' disease is a potentially serious lung infection caused by bacteria present in water: legionella. Humans are infected through the respiratory tract, by inhaling fine water droplets containing a high concentration of legionella, which are released as aerosols.
Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease appear on average between 2 and 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. The disease initially manifests itself with a severe cough and high fever, and in older people, gastrointestinal problems can occur. It mainly affects adults, particularly vulnerable people (elderly people, smokers, people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, diseases or treatments that weaken the immune system).
Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme fatigue, cough, and often digestive problems such as diarrhea, and can be confused with other lung diseases, such as pneumonia. At a more advanced stage, symptoms can progress to breathing difficulties. Legionnaires' disease most often results in hospitalization, and in some cases, even death.
The treatment
Legionnaires' disease requires specific antibiotic treatment, which in most cases results in a favorable outcome.
If you experience any symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. If you are unavailable or have any doubts, call 15.
The earlier symptoms are identified, the more likely it is that a cure will be. In the absence of symptoms , there is no need to seek medical advice.
What are the risks of contamination?
Legionnaires' disease is not contagious; it is not transmitted from person to person.
Contamination occurs through the respiratory tract, via the inhalation of contaminated water droplets. It can affect people exposed to a source of contamination, the most common being domestic or public hot water systems: showers, hand showers, whirlpools or jet baths, spas, jacuzzis, etc.
Less commonly, contamination may be linked to other sources, such as cooling towers, decorative fountains, misters, watering and handling of compost.
Drinking water does not pose a risk of contamination, only inhalation via the respiratory system poses a risk.
In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, between 200 and 400 cases of Legionnaires' disease are reported to the ARS each year. In 2024, more than 300 cases of Legionnaires' disease were recorded in the region, including 14 cases in Savoie.
Legionellosis: how to protect yourself and avoid the risk of contamination by legionella?
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https://www.auvergne-rhone-alpes.ar...llose-identifies-dans-le-secteur-dalbertville
