on the current legionella suspicion at the AVITA Resort
Information & education
Press release from Friday, December 19, 2025
AVITA Resort: Technical inspection report successfully completed – all pools back in operation
The AVITA Resort announces that the technical test report for the pool that was last taken out of operation as a precautionary measure has been successfully completed. This means that all technical tests have been completed, all official requirements have been met and all pools at the AVITA Resort are now fully operational.
“We are delighted that the last formal inspection has now been completed and that we can once again offer our guests the full range of bathing and sauna facilities,” says Managing Director Peter Prisching.
The AVITA Resort would like to thank its guests for the trust they have placed in us and the great response over the past few days.
Press release from Thursday, December 18, 2025
Reopening: The AVITA Resort is back!
The AVITA is allowed to resume operations from Friday, December 19, based on the test results. After an unprecedentedly thorough and rapid thermal and chemical cleaning process, which involved experts and 60 AVITA volunteers, the latest test showed that all requirements have been met, proving that AVITA’s pool technology is state-of-the-art following last year’s renovation and exceeds all requirements. The AVITA regular from Lower Austria, whose illness had been reported to the authorities, is healthy again and back to work. As a thank you for the overwhelming solidarity of its day and hotel guests, the AVITA is currently offering numerous bonus offers.
“We are very happy that our regular guest is well again and that he can return to work and enjoy the holidays next week,” confirms Managing Director Peter Prisching. “Health is our top priority,” he has repeatedly emphasized during the lockdown since 6 December – even though “the whole thing is a financial disaster and cannot be covered by insurance. We are still hoping for support from the state and federal government.” AVITA is considered one of the best thermal spa addresses in Austria and is one of the most important employers in Burgenland.
Strong cohesion and popularity among guests
Nevertheless, there were also positive experiences: For example, the unique team spirit in the hotel. “60 AVITA employees volunteered on the weekend of the closure to help with our proactive thermal and chemical cleaning together with the technical team and experts,” says Peter Prisching: “I would like to thank them all from the bottom of my heart, because they made the opening date on December 19 possible.” In this context, he also mentions the unanimous unity of all 139 owners and the wave of solidarity that AVITA has experienced since the closure: “Our guests have canceled surprisingly few of their festive vacations and have built us up with a lot of encouragement”. One of the pools in the sauna area remains closed for the time being because a technical test report is still pending. However, it is important to emphasize that legionella was not detected in this pool at any time.
AVITA goodies as a thank you
As a thank you to everyone who cares about the AVITA Resort, we are now offering lots of goodies: For example, 10 percent off all online vouchers until 24.12. with the code “XMAS25” in the webshop. Spa visitors who want to relax in the AVITA thermal spa during the pre-Christmas rush can also look forward to a 30% discount on all admission tickets and packages including sauna until December 24.
Press release from Wednesday, December 10, 2025
AVITA Resort plans to reopen on December 18 after renewed legionella testing
Since Saturday, December 6, 2025, the AVITA Therme & Resort Bad Tatzmannsdorf has been closed as a preventive measure by order of the authorities due to legionella. “Health is our top priority,” emphasizes Managing Director Peter Prisching: “We are working closely with the authorities and are doing everything we can to be able to reopen the spa and resort on 18 December.” The AVITA technical team and experts started a proactive cleaning campaign at the weekend, supported by 60 AVITA employees who had volunteered. “We thermally and chemically disinfected the entire resort, replaced screws, changed filters and shower heads and much more – even in pools and areas of the hotel that were not affected at all,” says Peter Prisching, describing the measures that exceeded all official requirements. They enabled rapid follow-up testing of the legionella contamination today (Wednesday). Results are expected next Wednesday (December 17). “In accordance with the test results and a quick decision by the authorities, we are planning to open from December 18,” says Peter Prisching.
Touching wave of solidarity
“The solidarity in the hotel is inspiring,” confirms Peter Prisching and sends his first thanks to the AVITA team. In this context, he also mentions the unanimous solidarity of all 139 owners and the touching wave of solidarity that the AVITA has experienced since the closure: “I would like to thank not only my colleagues from the industry and the state of Burgenland, but above all our guests, who have canceled surprisingly few of their festive vacations and sent us a lot of encouragement”. This helps to maintain optimism in difficult economic times: “All jobs are secure,” Peter Prisching confirms, “even if no insurance will cover the damage caused. With 170 employees, the AVITA is one of the leading businesses in Burgenland in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, the region with the highest number of tourists.
Press release from Saturday, December 6, 2025
The AVITA Therme & Resort Bad Tatzmannsdorf has been closed since this morning due to the discovery of legionella. “We received notification of a suspected case in November and immediately – in addition to the Oberwart health authority – proactively appointed our own measurement team,” explains Managing Director Peter Prisching. “We cannot confirm whether the legionella infection happened at AVITA.”
Peter Prisching assures: “The closure ordered by the authorities is a preventative precautionary measure and not an indication of an acute danger.” Only last year, extensive investments were made in modernizing the pool technology and all maintenance was carried out properly. “We are now working intensively with the authorities to resolve the situation quickly and would like to thank our guests for their understanding,” confirms Peter Prisching. In the meantime, all guests have left the AVITA in an orderly and understanding manner. Together with external experts, the AVITA technical team is subjecting all pools and rooms to intensive maintenance: all pools are emptied, cleaned and then refilled – even in unaffected areas. This means that AVITA exceeds the legal requirements and measures. A follow-up test with optimum values is expected.
As the AVITA Resort places the highest demands on quality, hygiene and technical safety, the thermal baths, pools and sauna worlds are subjected to the strictest daily checks. Complete, rapid and proactive clarification is currently the top priority, says Peter Prisching. The economic and reputational damage to AVITA during the peak season cannot be ignored, but the health of everyone involved has absolute priority. “Together and in good cooperation with the authorities, we will return to operations as quickly as possible.” It goes without saying that the jobs of all employees are safe. Guests who have booked their stay with us in the next 14 days can contact reception.
Legionella: An omnipresent issue – no indication of misconduct
Legionella can be found everywhere in nature and can also occur in hot water systems that are operated in a technically flawless manner. This is why the legislator prescribes regular inspections – inspections that we take very seriously at the AVITA Resort. The official precautionary measure is not an assessment of our business, but a routine, legally required step by the health authorities.
FAQ - the most important questions
The current situation
The closure was ordered by the authorities as a precautionary measure after a suspected case of legionella was reported. This is purely a preventative measure to protect our guests.
No. There is no evidence of a proven infection in the AVITA. The official order is for clarification purposes only and corresponds to a routine procedure in terms of safety.
We are in close and constant contact with the health authorities and implement all prescribed requirements transparently and on time.
In addition to the legal requirements, we clean and refill all pools. In addition, all areas are thermally and chemically treated to ensure maximum safety. The plant closure is also used to carry out additional maintenance work.
As soon as all specified test results are available and official approval has been granted.
In addition to the analyses carried out by the authorities, we also arrange for voluntary tests to be carried out by the Illmitz Biological Station and external hygiene officers. We expect to reopen on December 18th, as this period is required for the complete evaluation of all tests. We will keep our guests informed about further steps.
Our reservations and reception team actively contacts all guests and assists with rebooking or cancelations.
You can still reach us daily and around the clock by telephone, e-mail and via all known contact channels.
According to current information, there is no cause for concern. The temporary closure is solely for preventative purposes. If you have any health questions or symptoms, we recommend consulting a doctor or calling the health hotline 1450.
Yes, of course. Free rebookings and cancelations during the closure period are possible at any time. Our reservations team will be happy to assist you.
No. The jobs of all employees are secure despite the economic damage. The loyalty of our guests makes a significant contribution to ensuring that this continues to be the case.
General understanding
Legionella are bacteria that occur naturally in surface water and can multiply in hot water systems. However, they are reliably controlled and combated by modern hygiene measures.
The health authorities are legally obliged to take precautionary action in every suspected case. These measures are routine and serve to protect the population.
Symptoms may only occur at very high concentrations and when nebulized water droplets are inhaled.
Severe cases are rare and usually affect immunocompromised people. A medical examination is necessary to confirm legionellosis. There is currently no evidence that an infection has occurred in the AVITA.
“Suspected case” means: There are elevated values, but no proven infection that could be traced back to the farm. The test therefore serves to provide complete clarification.
Hygiene, technology & safety
All thermal pools and wet areas are checked, cleaned and technically monitored daily in accordance with the hygiene standards of the Spa Hygiene Act – and beyond. Our team relies on constant training and further education as well as a regular exchange of experience within the industry.
- Modern sensor technology, digital measuring systems and automatic dosing and filter systems ensure continuous quality control.
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In addition, our technical team carries out manual measurements and visual inspections on a daily basis.
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The filter systems are backwashed daily and automatically.
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Permanent automated chlorination ensures continuous disinfection.
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Weekly thermal legionella flushing (heating and circulation) prevents possible proliferation.
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Every evening, the pipes are heated to a high temperature to kill off potential legionella bacteria.
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Once a year, all pools are completely emptied, thoroughly cleaned and disinfected – as part of the legally prescribed inspection period.
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Shower heads and fittings are cleaned regularly and replaced if necessary.
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Our hygiene standards are also reviewed and evaluated once a year together with an external pool hygiene officer.
Daily internal measurements ensure consistently high water quality. Certified external laboratories carry out additional analyses that go beyond the statutory minimum requirements.
The modernization included, among other things:
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Entire pool technology (including new pipes, filter systems and supply lines)
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State-of-the-art measurement and control technology
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Automated backwash intervals
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State-of-the-art thermal disinfection options
The new technology enables particularly precise control and filter processes, stable hygiene conditions and maximum operational reliability of all water systems.
Austria requires operators of thermal baths, pools and hot water facilities to comply with strict hygiene and safety standards. These include:
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Regular microbiological water samples
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Mandatory legionella tests
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Defined temperature and circulation specifications
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Technical revisions and maintenance intervals
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Complete documentation obligations
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External checks by accredited laboratories
The AVITA Resort fully meets these standards and exceeds them in many areas.
Daily backwashing, permanent automated chlorination, weekly legionella flushing, state-of-the-art control technology and additional internal and external controls help to ensure the highest level of safety and quality every day.
