Taiex Study Visit on water risk assessment in hotels and healthcare

The TAIEX Study Visit hosted at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) in Rome, organized by the
National Reference Laboratory for Legionella of the Department of Infectious Diseases (DMI) and
the National Water Safety Center (CeNSiA), was successfully concluded. The event focused on the
risk assessment, prevention, and control of Legionella in water systems. The initiative welcomed a
delegation of experts from the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) in Jordan, who
were received by a multidisciplinary team of highly qualified Italian professionals representing some
of the country’s foremost institutions in the health, academic, and hospital sectors and from a Spanish
expert.
Objectives of the Study Visit
The primary objective of the Study Visit was to provide technical and operational support to the
participating experts for conducting Legionella risk assessments. The programme offered a platform
for sharing European and Italian legislation, best practices, and consolidated experiences in the fields
of public health, engineering, and academia. This initiative was implemented under the framework
of the TAIEX programme of the European Commission, aimed at enhancing institutional capacity in
partner countries.
Outcomes and Conclusions
The Study Visit represented a valuable opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and expertise,
contributing to the strengthening of international technical cooperation in the domain of water safety
and Legionella infection prevention. The participation of highly specialized experts ensured a robust
scientific approach, with tangible outcomes expected to support the enhancement of monitoring and
control systems in the participants’ home institutions.
Participants
The Jordanian delegation included:
• Eng. Nashat M. Dahiyat
• Eng. Hassan Marayeh
• Ms. Tamara Habahbeh
• Ms. Sarah Obiedat
• Eng. Aysheh Al-Btoush
These professionals are specialists in water quality and microbiological analysis, representing
ASEZA.
Italian experts contributing to the Study Visit included high-level representatives from:
• Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS)
• Policlinico Agostino Gemelli
• University of Bari

• University of Catania

• Politecnico di Milano
• ASL Roma 1
• Nexbiolinea, Spagna
The Study Visit not only reinforced institutional cooperation but also laid the groundwork for future
collaboration in the field of water safety and public health protection.