Commemorating 50 years of Legionella discovery

Dear colleagues,

In the summer of 1976, more than 200 participants at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia developed severe pneumonia, leaving 34 dead. In the aftermath of the outbreak, microbiologist Dr. Joseph McDade and his team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified a previously unknown bacterium as the causative agent. Reflecting its first victims and its lifestyle, the pathogen was named Legionella pneumophila.

On behalf of the Scientific Committee, it is our great pleasure to welcome you to the 11th International Conference on Legionella, taking place September 7–11, 2026. Commemorating 50 years since the discovery of Legionella, the meeting will open with a keynote lecture on the history and fascinating biology of the pathogen, followed by a session highlighting rising stars and key questions in the field.

The conference will cover the many facets of Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease through sessions on Virulence & Pathogenicity, Immunology & Disease, Ecology & Environment, Clinics & Diagnostics, and Epidemiology & Prevention. In addition to invited talks, short oral presentations and posters will be selected from submitted abstracts. The varied program is designed to foster exchange among researchers approaching the topic from different perspectives.

The conference will take place at the University of Zurich main campus, conveniently accessible from Zurich Airport and the city’s main train station. Zurich is a picturesque city in the heart of Switzerland, surrounded by forests, hills, rivers, and Lake Zurich. The water temperature may still be permissive for the brave-hearted in September.

Alongside superb science, participants can look forward to a welcome reception and a networking dinner – not to mention cozy bars in downtown Zurich, renowned art and history museums, and the Giacometti frescoes in “Europe’s prettiest police station.” So don’t miss the opportunity to be part of a fantastic meeting!

Carmen Buchrieser & Hubert Hilbi