Unfortunate death reported, with over 50 individuals falling ill from a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem
Breaking: Outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease in Harlem, New York City
A recent outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, a type of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, has been reported in several areas of Harlem, New York City. The disease is not transmitted from person to person but is spread by breathing in water vapor containing the Legionella bacteria.
Since the initial detection on July 25, at least 58 people have been diagnosed with the disease, and unfortunately, two lives have been lost. This outbreak marks the city's worst since a cooling tower in the Bronx was blamed for an infection that caused 16 deaths in 2022.
The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease can be similar to those of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses like the flu. They typically appear between two to 10 days after exposure and include headache, muscle aches, shortness of breath, cough, and fever. Anyone who has been in the impacted area since late July and has been experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should seek medical attention immediately.
To prevent the spread of the disease, it is crucial to control the growth of Legionella bacteria in water systems. Regular cleaning and disinfection of cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, and other water systems are essential. Maintaining adequate chlorine or biocide levels, especially in spa pools and pools, is also important in inhibiting bacterial growth.
At home, draining garden hoses, cleaning and replacing water filters as per manufacturer instructions, checking pool/spa chlorine levels, and flushing hot water heaters twice yearly are recommended. For vehicles, use only genuine windshield cleaner fluid and follow manufacturer guidance to prevent growth in vehicle systems.
Individuals at higher risk include older adults, smokers, those with chronic lung or kidney disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems. Therefore, it is essential to maintain water system maintenance and water quality, especially in large buildings and public facilities where water systems can favor bacterial growth.
Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are crucial for infected individuals. Only tests ordered by a doctor can confirm a diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease. For more information about Legionnaires' disease, visit the CDC website.
Building owners where positive results were found have been told to initiate remediation within a day. All cooling towers operating in the impacted area have been sampled. The city health department is working closely with the CDC to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to control the outbreak.
Stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from this disease. If you suspect exposure to Legionella or experiencing symptoms of Legionella disease or pneumonia, promptly contact a doctor and mention any exposure to Legionella, hot tub use, recent travels, or hospital stays in the past two weeks.
- This outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, a medical-condition similar to COVID-19 and the flu, is a concern for those with chronic-lung or chronic-kidney-disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems, who are at higher risk.
- Maintaining cardiovascular-health through fitness-and-exercise, a balanced nutrition, and eye-health are crucial for the overall health-and-wellness, especially during such outbreaks.
- In addition to regular cleaning and disinfection of public water systems, individuals should take precautions at home, such as draining garden hoses, cleaning water filters, checking pool/spa chlorine levels, and flushing water heaters twice a year.
- The Legionella bacteria, responsible for Legionnaires' disease, thrives in water systems like cooling towers and hot tubs, making it essential to control bacterial growth in these systems.
- Unfortunately, chronic diseases such as COPD, type-2-diabetes, and psoriasis, as well as skin-conditions, are also known to pose increased risks for individuals during Legionnaires' disease outbreaks.
- Building owners are responsible for initiating remediation within a day if positive results are found, while the city health department works with the CDC to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to control the outbreak.
- Regular testing and antibiotic treatment are crucial for infected individuals to ensure they receive prompt diagnosis and treatment, avoiding any possible complications.
- Staying informed, taking necessary precautions, and seeking medical attention immediately if experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, or difficulty breathing are key in protecting oneself and loved ones from Legionnaires' disease and other respiratory-conditions.
