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Houten
Several people in Houten have contracted a legionella infection in the past month. GGD Utrecht region is investigating where the infections come from, the municipality of Houten reports. In recent times, an average of two Legionella infections per week has occurred, while it normally concerns two to three cases per year per municipality.
It is not yet clear what the source of the infections is. One of the locations being investigated is the sewage treatment plant in Houten. Increased concentrations of the Legionella bacteria were found here. The water board has already taken measures. For example, employees now wear a mouth mask that should protect against the risky water droplets in the air. The location is also closed to people who don’t have to be there.
“We have also engaged a company that is further investigating what measures we should take,” says a spokeswoman for the Stichtse Rijnlanden Water Board. “It is still a big question mark for us, it is also unclear whether the spread of legionella comes from us.” The water board does not know whether employees of the company are infected with legionella.
Legionella is a bacteria that can live in water. If people inhale small droplets containing the bacteria, they can become infected. Most people don’t get sick from it, some get flu symptoms. It can prevent the bacteria from causing pneumonia and high fever. The elderly and people in poor health, in particular, are more likely to develop severe pneumonia. They can die from this.