Legionnaires Disease: A Second Person Died in Savoie

CLUSTER: A second patient died of Legionnaires’ disease in the Albertville region. While 46 cases have been confirmed since mid-September, the origin of the contamination is still unknown

A second patient died from the legionnaires disease in the Albertville region, the prefecture announced on Friday Savoie in a new situation point. This is an “elderly person with several comorbidities”. Since mid-September, 46 cases of Legionnaires disease have been confirmed in this sector. Among these people, “three are still hospitalized in the intensive care unit and two in the continuing care unit”. The balance sheet is subject to change. Other “suspected cases” identified since September 16 are still being analyzed.

The source of the contamination is still unknown

Investigations are continuing “to try to identify sources of exposure and protect the populations most at risk”, specifies the prefecture. No hypothesis is favored at this stage. The results of the analysis of the samples collected will be known in “several days”.

Legionnaires’ disease is a disease that affects the lung, caused by bacteria, legionella. Contamination occurs by inhaling microdroplets of water contaminated by the bacteria. The disease, which mainly affects adults, can be serious in immunocompromised people with illnesses, chronic respiratory pathologies, diabetics, or even smokers.

Fatal in 10% of cases

In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, between 200 and 400 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are declared each year to the ARS, and more than 300 cases were declared in 2024, including 14 in Savoie, indicates the ARS. The disease is fatal in approximately 10% of cases.

Sources of contamination by legionnaires can be “domestic or public domestic hot water networks (showers, hand showers, whirlpool or jet baths, spas, jacuzzis, etc.), but also other sources such as systems water spraying (decorative fountains, misters, watering)”, explained the prefecture and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Health Agency.

“It is this type of equipment which is the subject of investigation in the current situation in Albertville”, these organizations explained in a previous situation update.