At least eleven people in the Netherlands have probably contracted legionella since July last year due to a central heating boiler from manufacturer Ferroli. Two people have died from the infection. Ferroli and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) report this. According to the institute, the combi boilers are “the most likely cause of these infections”.
Rarely has the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) found a source for an outbreak of legionella “so quickly” as now. So says Tjalling Leenstra, head of infectious disease control at RIVM. Because while the disease occurs regularly, finding out what caused it is often a matter of patience.
The case started when four residents of a residential complex contracted legionella almost at the same time. Leenstra does not want to say what kind of complex it is and where it is located. But: “The special thing about the first cluster was the relationship with recently installed boilers. That was reason to also check whether there was a relationship with the boilers in the following cases,” says Leenstra. Those subsequent infections were spread throughout the country, but it always turned out that new Ferroli combi boilers had been installed shortly before.
What is Legionella?
Legionella is a bacterium that grows in mist or particles of garden soil. When inhaled, these particles can end up in the lungs, leading to serious health problems. Inhalation of legionella bacteria can occur during spraying water, in bubble baths and when using air humidification systems, among other things. Symptoms usually appear after two to ten days. In the Netherlands, about four to five hundred people become infected with the bacteria every year. An infection can be treated with antibiotics.
As it turns out, something probably went wrong when the manufacturer tested the combi boilers. If that happens, some residual water may remain in such a boiler. That residual water may also contain Legionella bacteria, as has probably happened now. If the boiler is then connected in a house, the bacteria can spread through the water pipes throughout the house.
That does not have to be such a big problem, emphasizes RIVM chief Leenstra. You do not get legionella if you drink contaminated water, but you do if you inhale it, for example through water spray. The water from a Ferroli kettle can therefore be drunk normally, but only people with serious swallowing problems can still be at risk. Cold water is also separated from the heat pipe, which is connected to the central heating.
And even if a legionella contamination does take place via mist, not everyone becomes deathly ill. Leenstra: “This mainly happens in the elderly, smokers and people with a weaker immune system. People who are always at high risk from pneumonia are also at the highest risk of a serious course or death from legionella. You have to be vulnerable to get very sick.”
1,400 boilers
Ferroli and the RIVM people call out because of the news have their boiler cleaned. The call applies to boilers of the types BlueSense and BlueHelix that were produced after 1 January last year. The serial numbers start with the number 22 or 23 and can be found on the sticker on the bottom of the boiler near the tap water connection. According to the NVWA, this concerns about 1,400 boilers. All installers of the boilers in question have now been informed. Because it is not possible to find out in the short term exactly in which households the boilers are placed, Ferroli also issues a safety warning.
The NVWA recommends having the cleaning carried out by the installer or to do it yourself according to the instructions on Ferroli’s website. For mechanics, the RIVM and the NWVA have developed an extensive work instruction drafted.
It is not the first time that Ferroli has been discredited. In 2019, research from consumer program showed Checkout that some 150,000 boilers of this brand were incendiary. This resulted in several house fires. Ferroli central heating boilers are therefore extra protected. Landlords in The Hague such as Vestia and housing corporation Arcade decided to replace the boilers of this brand. That job is not yet done: it was previously announced that the work would last until 2026.
Reducing the risk of legionella
According to Ferroli, people can reduce the risk of legionella contamination until cleaning is done by, for example, showering without a shower head or by not letting a bubble bath bubble: in such situations, there is a chance that mist will form and a legionella contamination is lurking, even if the chance is according to the RIVM then still “very small”. Do you have a combi boiler for which the safety warning for legionella applies and do you suffer from serious complaints such as high fever, chills, confusion, shortness of breath or gastrointestinal complaints (diarrhea or vomiting)? Then contact your doctor.
How often and by whom should the boiler be cleaned?
Regular cleaning of the boiler is important to reduce the risk of legionella or carbon monoxide poisoning. The manufacturer prescribes how often a boiler must be maintained and cleaned. This varies from every year to every two or three years. Maintenance on the boiler is also important to prevent malfunctions and to allow the boiler to operate as efficiently and economically as possible. For regular maintenance of the boiler, it can be useful to conclude a maintenance contract with an energy company. This means you don’t have to keep an eye on when it’s time for maintenance and you get priority when you encounter unexpected malfunctions.
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