France - Several cases of Legionnaires' disease identified in the Port-sur-Saône area, Haute-Saône

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Several cases of Legionnaires' disease identified in the Port-sur-Saône area

Press release
September 25, 2025

Six cases of Legionnaires' disease have been identified in Haute-Saône. All of the individuals reside in or have frequented a neighborhood in Port-sur-Saône. Investigations are underway to try to determine the source(s) of this contamination.

Between August 13 and September 22, six cases of Legionnaires' disease were diagnosed in people living in or having frequented the same neighborhood in Port-sur-Saône. Two deaths have been reported.

Legionnaires' disease is a 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.

Environmental and epidemiological investigations are currently being conducted by the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Regional Health Agency, Public Health France, the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing, the services of the city of Port-sur-Saône and the National Reference Centre, to try to determine the source(s) of exposure.

Surveys were conducted with the people concerned, and water samples were taken at their homes, the results of which will be available in about ten days.
Teams also visited the site on September 23 to actively search for potential sources. The sensitive sites identified are currently the subject of further investigations, which are still ongoing.

Healthcare professionals in the sector are being informed of the situation, to increase their vigilance and quickly identify any patients presenting symptoms suggestive of the infection.

What are the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease?

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, people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, diseases or treatments that weaken the immune system) and smokers.

These symptoms, which include fever, headaches, extreme fatigue, coughing and frequently digestive problems, can be confused with other lung diseases, such as pneumonia.

At a more advanced stage, they can develop into breathing difficulties. Legionnaires' disease most often results in hospitalization, and in some cases, even death.

The treatment

Legionnaires' disease requires specific antibiotic treatment, which allows for a favorable outcome in most cases.

If you experience any symptoms, consult your doctor promptly. If you are unavailable or in doubt, call 15. Early treatment of the disease improves the prognosis.

What are the risks of contamination?

There is no need to change your habits.

Legionnaires' disease is not contagious and is not transmitted from person to person.

Drinking water does not pose a risk of contamination, only inhalation poses a risk.

The disease 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, etc.

More rarely, contamination may be linked to other sources such as cooling towers, decorative fountains, misters, watering and handling of compost.

This is why the investigations currently underway in Port-sur-Saône are striving to determine the exact causes and circumstances of these contaminations.

In Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, between 70 and 150 cases of legionellosis are reported each year to the Regional Health Agency.
In 2024, 73 cases of legionellosis living in the region were recorded, including 13 in Haute-Saône.​

https://www.bourgogne-franche-comte...-identifies-dans-le-secteur-de-port-sur-saone


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Translation Google

Legionnaires' disease in Port-sur-Saône: A seventh case identified

Press release
September 29, 2025

A seventh case of Legionnaires' disease has been identified in Haute-Saône in the same district of Port-sur-Saône, adding to the six cases recorded since August 13. Investigations are continuing to try to determine the source(s) of this contamination.

A seventh case of Legionnaires' disease was identified this Saturday, September 27, in Haute-Saône. The person is currently hospitalized.

An epidemiological and environmental investigation was immediately launched into this case, which is in addition to the six others diagnosed between August 13 and September 22 in people living in or having frequented the same neighborhood of Port-sur-Saône. It is recalled that two deaths have been reported.

The investigations are being conducted by the Bourgogne Franche-Comté Regional Health Agency, Public Health France, the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing (DREAL), the services of the city of Port-sur-Saône, as well as the National Reference Centre for Legionella.

To date, no lead has been favored in this search for a common source of exposure.

A public information and discussion meeting was organized on Friday, September 26, in Port-sur-Saône, by the ARS, in collaboration with the DREAL and the town hall. Around 150 people participated and were able to ask questions about the situation.


https://www.bourgogne-franche-comte...lose-port-sur-saone-un-septieme-cas-identifie
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