Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak In New York City Sickens 29, Kills 2
SOUTH BRONX, N.Y., July 29 (UPI) — The New York City Health Department is investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx after 31 cases were reported this month, including 2 deaths.
Officials from the department announced they were testing water from cooling towers and potential sources from neighborhoods in the area for the bacteria Legionella, which causes the disease. Many cases of the disease can be traced back to plumbing systems such as humidifiers, hot water tanks, cooling towers, and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems.
“We are concerned about this unusual increase in Legionnaires’ disease cases in the South Bronx,” said Dr. Mary Bassett, health commissioner in New York City, in a press release. “We are conducting a swift investigation to determine the source of the outbreak and prevent future cases. I urge anyone with symptoms to seek medical attention right away.”
Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia, is spread by bacteria through water droplets in the air, often air conditioning systems, but can’t be transmitted from person to person. Symptoms include respiratory issues, fever, muscle aches, chills and coughing.
Those most at risk for contracting the disease are middle-aged or older people with chronic lung disease, especially smokers, and those with weakened immune systems.
“We have our disease detectives out in the field, scanning the environment and looking for places to take samples,” Bassett told NBC News. “We know a lot about Legionnaires’, we know a lot about outbreaks — this particular outbreak is still under investigation. We have an evolving situation,” she added. “This is a common and readily treated pneumonia and we want to make sure people get care.”
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