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LEGIONELLA IN THE EU— 2019 TO 2023
Legionella in the European Union
A growing water safety challenge across healthcare, hospitality, and public infrastructure
Legionnaires’ disease cases have increased significantly across Europe over the past two decades and continue to rise in multiple member states.
This page tracks reported outbreaks, national surveillance data, and documented risk trends across healthcare, hospitality, elderly care, and public infrastructure environments, using information from ECDC reports, national public health authorities, and peer-reviewed research. Updated regularly.
US Legionella outbreak tracker
ECDC surveillance data
14,537
Confirmed EU/EEA Legionnaires’ disease cases in 2023
ECDC epidemiological data
3.2 /100k
Highest recorded EU/EEA notification rate
Reported in 2023
ECDC surveillance reports
72%
Of reported EU/EEA cases concentrated in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain
Reported fatality rate
~10%
Higher among elderly and immunocompromised populations
LEGIONELLA IN THE EU— 2019 TO 2023
Legionnaires’ disease cases continue to rise across the European Union
Reported EU/EEA Legionnaires’ disease cases have increased significantly over the past two decades, with multiple member states recording their highest notification rates in recent years.
ECDC surveillance reports and peer-reviewed public health research identify aging plumbing infrastructure, water stagnation, climate-related temperature shifts, and complex building water systems as major contributing factors.
Healthcare, elderly care, hospitality, and public infrastructure environments remain among the highest-risk sectors due to continuous exposure to aerosol-generating water outlets.
2019
ECDC surveillance report
8,909 confirmed cases • 2.2/100k
1
2022
ECDC epidemiological report
11,038 confirmed cases • 2.6/100k • rising EU trend
1
Highest-risk demographic
ECDC demographic surveillance
12.7/100k in males aged 65+
1
2020
ECDC surveillance report
5,850 confirmed cases • reduced reporting during COVID-19 restrictions
1
2023
ECDC Annual Epidemiological Report
14,537 confirmed cases • 3.2/100k
1
Geographic concentration
ECDC epidemiological surveillance
72% of EU/EEA cases concentrated in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain
1
2021
ECDC surveillance report
10,723 confirmed cases • 2.4/100k
1
2023 outbreaks
ECDC outbreak surveillance
39 documented outbreaks • 368 associated cases
1
Male-to-female disparity
ECDC demographic analysis
Around 70% of reported EU/EEA cases occurred in males
1
What is Legionella -
and why does it keep spreading?
Legionella pneumophila is a bacterium naturally present in freshwater environments. It becomes a public health risk when it colonizes man-made water systems such as cooling towers, hot water tanks, showerheads, decorative fountains, and complex building plumbing networks, where warm or stagnant water conditions allow bacterial growth and amplification.
Infection occurs through inhalation of aerosolized water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. The result can be Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia with a reported fatality rate of approximately 10%, increasing significantly among elderly and immunocompromised populations. Legionnaires’ disease is monitored across the EU/EEA through coordinated national surveillance systems and ECDC reporting frameworks.
According to ECDC surveillance data, notification rates across the European Union continue to rise, particularly in healthcare, hospitality, elderly care, and large public infrastructure environments with aging plumbing systems and variable water temperatures.
Aging infrastructure
Older plumbing networks, dead legs, storage tanks, and low-flow sections create favorable conditions for Legionella colonization and biofilm formation in complex building water systems.
Climate change
Higher seasonal temperatures and prolonged warm periods are associated with increasing Legionella activity and longer annual transmission periods across Europe.
Inadequate water management
Many outbreaks are linked to insufficient monitoring, low water turnover, temperature instability, and incomplete water management procedures in large facilities.
Aging population
Adults over 65 years old remain the highest-risk demographic in EU/EEA surveillance data, particularly in healthcare and elderly care environments.
Read more information about what Legionella is, including resources, case studies, articles, and more.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. Data and statistics referenced on this page are derived from publicly available reports and surveillance publications issued by organizations including the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and other public health authorities. While reasonable efforts are made to ensure accuracy, Mentor Water Technologies makes no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or ongoing availability of the information presented. This content does not constitute medical, regulatory, engineering, or legal advice. Facilities should consult qualified professionals and relevant public health authorities regarding specific water safety, compliance, and remediation decisions.
EMERGENCY WATER SAFETY RESPONSE
A positive Legionella test is not the end.
How you respond in the next 48 hours determines the outcome.
When Legionella is confirmed in a healthcare, hospitality, elderly care, or public facility, rapid corrective action becomes critical. Public health authorities and facility operators are expected to document the measures implemented to reduce exposure risk and maintain safe water access during remediation activities.
Installed point-of-use filtration can provide an immediate physical barrier at the outlet level while broader system remediation and investigative procedures are ongoing. MWT supports facilities with rapid-response deployment, technical documentation, and operational guidance designed to help maintain continuity during active water safety incidents.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU CONTACT US
Within 1 hour - Our emergency response team reviews your request and facility requirements
Same business day - Product configuration and deployment planning initiated
Under 5 min per outlet - Using internal maintenance staff in most environments
Certified documentation ready- Technical specifications, certification data, and laboratory validation documents provided upon request