Legionnaires' outbreak in Basel kills one among 26 cases

A Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Basel has killed one person among 26 confirmed cases, Basel-City canton said on Monday.

The canton said 25 people were hospitalised, including seven who needed intensive care. Nine people remain in hospital, including one in intensive care.

Most cases occurred in the same area of central Basel near the River Rhine, though isolated cases appeared elsewhere in the northern Swiss city. The canton said the cluster suggested one or more common sources of infection, with investigations focused on water cooling towers.

After samples were taken from 10 cooling facilities, high levels of legionella pneumophila were found at two facilities on the roof of an office building. The facilities were shut down on Friday and are being refurbished.

Basel health authorities are continuing monitoring and inspections. They advised residents with pneumonia symptoms such as fever and shortness of breath to consult a doctor.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by exposure to legionella bacteria found in water and soil. It can range from mild flu-like illness to a serious and sometimes fatal form of pneumonia, can be treated with antibiotics, and does not spread directly between people.