By IDSE News Staff
Since July 25, 58 people in Central Harlem, in New York City, have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, and two people have died, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The health department sampled all operable cooling towers in Central Harlem and surrounding neighborhoods and directed building owners with initial positive screening results to initiate remediation within 24 hours. So far, 11 cooling towers with initial positive screening results for the causative organism, Legionella pneumophila, have been decontaminated.
“Anyone in [the affected] zip codes with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible,” said?acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse, MD. “Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early, but New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older and those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions, should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin.”
People can become infected by breathing in water vapor that contains Legionella?bacteria; Legionnaires’ disease cannot be transmitted from person to person. The disease can be treated with antibiotics, and complications from the disease are less likely the earlier treatment begins.
Legionnaires’ disease can be caused by plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for?Legionella?growth, such as cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems.
