Spike in Legionnaires’ disease cases in France leaves two dead
The Savoie department has seen an ‘unusual increase’ in cases since June
Published
Two people have died following an increase in cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Savoie, a regional health agency reported Thursday.
The two, both over the age of 80, were among 43 cases of the rare yet severe illness that have occurred since June 1, according to the regional health agency Agence régionale de santé (ARS) Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The other 41 people were hospitalised for respiratory problems.
Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection caused by breathing fine droplets of water that contain the legionella bacteria, according to the UK National Health Service.
The most common contamination sources are domestic hot water systems such as showers, hand showers, whirlpool or jet baths, spas or jacuzzis, according to the ARS. Cooling towers, decorative fountains, misting systems or sprinklers can also spread the bacteria.
“Epidemiological and environmental investigations are underway to try to determine the origin of the contamination,” the agency wrote in an online statement.
Around 30 samples were taken from water networks around the region – apartments, supermarkets, restaurants, cooling towers – with initial results expected to be known by August 17, 2026.
Over the past two months, people ranging from 26 to 91 years old in Savoie have been affected. Of the 43 cases, 27 were in the west of the department, particularly in the Chambéry basin, according to the agency’s statement.
In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, some 200 to 400 Legionnaires’ disease cases are reported each year. However, there has been an “unusual increase” this summer, the agency wrote.
Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from person to person, and contamination cannot happen through drinking tap water. Symptoms usually appear two to 10 days after exposure, with the illness characterised by a severe cough and high fever. Some, especially older adults, experience gastrointestinal issues. As the disease advances, it can cause respiratory issues.
Older adults, as well as those with chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, or diseases or treatments that weaken the immune system, are particularly susceptible to the disease. Smokers also face a higher risk.
In France, Legionnaires’ disease cases have risen sharply since 2017, French media 20 Minutes reported last year. That may be due to meteorological changes as well as recognition by better testing, according to experts interviewed by 20 Minutes. Since then, some 1,800 cases have been reported in the country per year, according to Santé publique France, the national public health agency.
Last year, at least three people died from the disease, which has around a 10% fatality rate.
To protect yourself from infection, the ARS recommends properly maintaining your hot water system by getting it serviced once a year, replacing outdated plumbing fixtures, making sure hot water is at or above 50C and cleaning equipment once a year. That means descaling and disinfecting shower hoses, shower heads and tap nozzles
You should also manage periods when you are not using your water system by running the water and making sure everything is working properly. Finally, clean, sanitise and maintain at-home water equipment and respiratory devices such as oxygen devices, sleep apnea machines and spas.
Legionnaires’ disease can be treated with antibiotics.
