Legionnaires' outbreak kills three in Austria

Three people have died and 26 have fallen ill in a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Austria's Linz region since July 20, Austria's national health agency said Friday.

The agency said 24 patients have been treated in hospital, some in intensive care. Two other affected people live abroad but had been in Linz before their infection.

Authorities said cooling towers belonging to a company in Linz tested positive for legionella, the bacterium that causes the disease. However, the health agency said investigations had not yet confirmed the source responsible for the outbreak.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by exposure to legionella bacteria found in water and soil. It can range from a mild flu-like illness to serious and sometimes fatal pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhoea and sometimes coughing up blood.

The disease can be treated with antibiotics and does not spread directly between people. Outbreaks are often linked to poorly maintained air conditioning and water systems, humidifiers and whirlpool spas.

Earlier this month, the Swiss city of Basel said a Legionnaires' disease outbreak had caused 26 illnesses and one death.