Legionella Another fatality in Warstein

Wave of infection in Warstein with 165 patients and three deaths

09/25/2013

After finding the source of the enigmatic Legionella wave of infection in Warstein, the number of new infections has been steadily declining and a gradual normalization of everyday life has begun. However, the number of fatalities has subsequently increased again, as in a deceased 62-year-olds in the course of the autopsies, an infection was detected with the bacteria, reported the prosecutor Arnsberg.

For weeks after the mysterious infections first appeared, the search for the source of the pathogens took place before the Legionella were discovered in the local sewage treatment plant and a pre-treatment plant of the Warsteiner brewery. Comprehensive security measures were initiated, according to the announcement of the district of Soest, for example, at the Warsteiner brewery „a cover of the basins of their operational wastewater treatment plant“ covered and provided additional facilities for UV disinfection. Costly safety measures were also taken in the municipal sewage treatment plant and a cleaning of the sewer between the operational and municipal sewage treatment plant was ordered. „As a precaution, the city of Warstein has also sealed all manhole covers of this canal so that no aerosols can escape“, said the district of Soest in a communication last week.

Comprehensive safety measures to contain the Legionella
In view of the implementation of the necessary security measures, the specially convened crisis team and the responsible health department of the district of Soest have already waived the previously issued travel warning last week and also withdrew the recommendation to stay indoors (to minimize the risk of infection). Only „the appeal to go to the doctor for symptoms continues to apply in connection with the legionella outbreak in Warstein“, so the official message. The fact that the number of fatalities has now increased to three, is in no way to be seen in connection with a recent infection, but goes back to the subsequent identification of the pathogens in a 62-year-old deceased patient. The heavily loaded woman had died as a result of severe pneumonia whose cause could now be attributed to the Legionella.

Prosecutor's Office sees no suspicion
As a result, the death toll from the Legionella wave of infection in Warstein has increased to a total of three and 165 people have been seriously ill as a result of infection with the pathogens, according to official figures. The public prosecutor's office Arnsberg had initiated investigations on the basis of the death cases, in order to check whether possibly negligent action could have led to the outbreak of the infections. Prosecutor Marco Karlin said on Tuesday that there had been no evidence to date, „that someone has neglected his duties of care or maintenance.“ Since there are no clear legal requirements for the maintenance of recooling plants or for the control of Legionella in sewage treatment plants, according to the prosecutor Arnsberg there is currently no suspicion.

Work of the crisis team not yet finished
Although the wave of illness in Warstein seems to be over, the crisis staff will continue its work according to own data, „to process all remaining problem areas.“ For example, the monitoring of the district government keeps an eye on the pollution of the waters. However, the question arises as to whether generally stricter regulations regarding the control of Legionella in sewage and cooling plants would be required in order to be aware of the corresponding dangers early on. (Fp)

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