Legionella disease confirmed after party in Bologna

The results of environmental samples examined by the ‘Mab Lab’ laboratory at the University of Bologna have been reported by the local health authority, which highlighted the presence of Legionella feeleii following the disorders experienced by a large number of participants in the event on 29 November 2024 at Serra Madre near the Giardini Margherita in Bologna. Legionella feeleii is a different strain from that of pneumophila, more common and cause of severe forms of pneumonia, resulting in general malaise, myalgia, headache, coughing, and sometimes even nausea and dizziness, called ‘Pontiac fever.’ In addition to environmental checks, water, urine, and nasal-pharyngeal swabs were carried out on a sample of 56 symptomatic subjects without detecting the presence of Legionella pneumophila, nor bacteria or viruses circulating at this time of year. The origin of the disease has not yet been identified, and to shed light on this aspect the investigations of the health task force will proceed with additional sampling in various environments. One of the most accepted hypotheses about the cause of the accident is that of the leisure facility’s air conditioning system. As provided for in the health protocols, the targeting task force will report the results of the investigations to the Italian Institute of Health.