Water Shows Halted: High Levels of Legionella at Osaka Expo
Water displays at Expo suspend in Osaka due to Legionella concerns - Exhibition performances involving water in Osaka put on hold
The organizers of the Osaka Expo have temporarily shut down a popular attraction due to worrying levels of Legionella bacteria. The suspended area includes a shallow water section where visitors could cool off and a children's play area. Additionally, the daily fountain show at an artificial pond has been halted.
Initially, the Expo grounds were plagued with tiny flying insects, causing discomfort among visitors. But it's the spike in Legionella levels that's forced the shutdown. These bacteria reached up to 20 times the legal limit, compelling immediate action to secure the safety of attendees.
Since its opening in April, the Expo has welcomed around six million visitors, including both locals and foreigners.
- Legionella
- Expo
- Japan
- World's Fair
- Osaka
- Children
The Expo authorities have responded swiftly, implementing stringent sanitation measures, cleaning drainage pipes, and boosting water circulation. Their aim is to meet the health authorities' standards and reopen the affected areas shortly.
Although no health issues have been reported among visitors regarding the bacteria, the closure of these water attractions could potentially disappoint children, who may have been eagerly anticipating them.
The Expo has faced other issues, too, such as nuisance swarms of midges, which have been causing an inconvenience to visitors. Efforts are underway to alleviate this problem, including the installation of insect screens.
The fountain shows at the Water Plaza have been on hold since June 4th. The organizers apologize for the inconvenience and are striving to resume these events as soon as the situation improves. On a positive note, the Expo will be hosting a special event focusing on Safety, Health, and Well-being in July 2025, with the aim of promoting occupational safety and health awareness among thousands of participants.
- To address the elevated levels of Legionella bacteria at the Osaka Expo, the commission has decided to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 93 (2) of the Treaty, implementing stringent sanitation measures, cleaning drainage pipes, and boosting water circulation.
- As the Expo authorities focus on securing the safety of attendees by addressing the Legionella issue, they may also consider integrating advanced treatments and therapies from the field of health-and-wellness and environmental-science into their preventive measures, ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all visitors.
