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Published August 3, 2026, 2:29 PM
Basel:
Legionnaires' disease has claimed one life and sent seven patients to the emergency room.
Two cooling towers are believed to be the source of the Legionnaires' disease outbreak that has already claimed one life and caused 25 hospitalizations in central Basel.
by The editorial team at lematin.ch
Basel health authorities believe they have identified the source of the Legionnaires' disease outbreak currently affecting the region. At an emergency press conference on Monday, the Department of Health announced that two cooling towers installed on the roof of an office building in Kleinbasel were very likely the source of the contamination.
To date, 26 cases have been identified. Twenty-five people have been hospitalized, including seven in intensive care. One person has died and another remains in critical condition.
The investigation focused on cooling towers after an unusual concentration of cases was discovered in Kleinbasel. Of the ten installations inspected, eight exceeded the limit values for Legionella. However, only the two installations on Rebgasse contained bacteria pathogenic to humans. They were immediately taken out of service. The other six installations were contaminated with strains deemed harmless.
According to the Department of Health, the bacteria spread through water droplets (aerosols) released by the cooling towers. Depending on weather and wind conditions, these aerosols can be carried some distance before being inhaled.
Authorities are urging anyone suffering from pneumonia to seek medical help promptly. They are also asking operators of large water-cooled cooling towers to register with the cantonal laboratory to facilitate testing during any future outbreaks.
What is Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires' disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Legionella, which thrive in warm water systems or poorly maintained cooling systems. Contamination occurs through breathing in fine droplets of contaminated water, not through drinking water. The disease can take two forms: Pontiac fever, which is usually mild and resembles the flu with fatigue, headache, and body aches; and Legionnaires' disease, on the other hand, which is a much more serious form. It causes pneumonia, high fever, a severe cough, and chest pain. The elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic illnesses are most at risk for severe forms of the disease.
https://www.lematin.ch/story/bale-l...et-envoie-sept-malades-aux-urgences-103612637
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Legionella outbreak in the canton of Basel-Stadt
03.08.2026 - 14:15
Media release
Department of Health
There is currently an unusually high number of Legionnaires' disease cases in the canton of Basel-Stadt. Over 20 people have been or are currently being treated in hospital. The most likely source of the infection has been identified and eliminated, and further sources are being investigated. The Department of Health will continue its monitoring and testing activities until it is certain that the health risk has been completely eliminated.
The medical services of the health department are currently observing an increased incidence of Legionnaires' disease. This is a form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila . Infection occurs through the inhalation of aerosolized water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. The disease is not transmitted from person to person. Legionella bacteria multiply particularly well in water systems where the water is not constantly renewed and the temperature fluctuates between 25°C and 45°C. Such conditions are found, among other places, in water pipes, faucets, showerheads, whirlpools, and cooling towers of water-based refrigeration and ventilation systems. Air conditioning systems and heat pumps commonly used in private homes are not affected.
Current status of the illnesses
As of now, 26 cases of the illness have been confirmed in the canton of Basel-Stadt. Of these, 25 people have been hospitalized; currently, nine are still receiving inpatient treatment. Seven people required intensive care. Sadly, one person has died, and one person remains in intensive care.
Procedures and measures of the authorities
Epidemiological findings and interviews with affected patients indicate a cluster of infections in central Kleinbasel. Isolated cases have also occurred in other districts. The cluster suggests one or more common sources of infection. Therefore, investigations are primarily focused on facilities with a reach in public spaces, not private residences.
The investigations focused on cooling towers that use water. If such cooling towers are contaminated with Legionella bacteria, the water vapor emitted by the system can contain infectious water droplets. Depending on weather conditions and wind patterns, these droplets can spread over a considerable distance. If residents inhale these droplets, they can become infected.
The cantonal laboratory conducted sampling at various locations in recent days. Of the ten facilities tested in the vicinity of the cluster, eight showed exceedances of the limit for Legionella bacteria. Elevated levels of Legionella pneumophila , the species responsible for most human infections, were detected in two of these facilities. As a result, the two affected facilities were completely shut down last Friday morning, July 31, 2026, at the behest of the Medical Services. Both facilities are located on the roof of an office building on Rebgasse and are currently undergoing remediation. In the six other contaminated facilities, only other Legionella species, which are not pathogenic to humans, have been detected so far. Measures have also been ordered for these facilities to stop any potential Legionella emissions. These facilities currently pose no risk to public health.
The Department of Health is continuing its monitoring and inspection activities. It recommends that the residents of the Canton of Basel-Stadt consult their family doctor if they suspect pneumonia (shortness of breath, fever, severe cough).
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https://www.bs.ch/medienmitteilungen/gd/2026-legionellenausbruch-im-kanton-basel-stadt