An unusual number of hikers in Garmisch-Partenkirchen have reported gastrointestinal illnesses after drinking water from the Partnach stream. Health authorities warn against consuming mountain water due to the risk of hidden pathogens.
Hikers at risk: Unseen dangers in mountain streams
The picturesque trails around Garmisch-Partenkirchen attract numerous hikers daily, especially during the summer months. The refreshing allure of cold mountain stream water is hard to resist for those trekking through the area. Many hikers stop to take a drink or refill their water bottles from the Partnach, a popular stream that runs through the Zugspitze massif. However, what seems like a harmless refreshment has recently led to serious health concerns.
Over the past two weeks, an unusually high number of hikers have reported gastrointestinal illnesses to the local health department. The common link between these cases? Each of the affected individuals drank water from the Partnach. This has led health officials to suspect that the stream, which is generally considered safe, may currently harbor dangerous pathogens.
Outbreaks reported at mountain huts: Norovirus detected
Two well-known mountain huts, Knorrhütte and Reintalangerhütte, have seen a sudden surge in sick visitors. These huts, frequented by climbers on their way to the Zugspitze, have reported several cases of gastrointestinal viruses among their guests. The German Alpine Club’s Munich section has been informed of multiple instances of illness at these huts. In an effort to prevent further outbreaks in the communal sleeping areas, authorities have launched an investigation.
The local health department conducted interviews with those affected and discovered that all had consumed water from the Partnach. Although initial tests of the stream water did not reveal any pathogens, health experts, including Hansjörg Wiesböck, a specialist in epidemics and environmental hygiene, noted that detecting such viruses in flowing water is often challenging. Despite the absence of direct evidence, the health department suspects that the water is contaminated, particularly as the sick hikers were confirmed to have contracted the Norovirus.
Health department warns: Avoid drinking from mountain streams
So far, over 20 cases of illness have been officially recorded, and it is likely that more hikers have been affected. The German Alpine Club has responded by placing temporary warning signs in both German and English along the hiking routes, cautioning against drinking from mountain streams. The health department has issued a strong advisory against consuming any mountain water, not just because of the current situation, but due to the persistent risk of dangerous pathogens that may always be present in such water sources.
