Health officials in New York City are investigating a Bronx Apartment complex after two residents tested positive for legionaries.
The city’s department of health began an evaluation of Parkchester North condominiums after saying that two residents tested positive for legionaries in 10 months.
Legionella bacteria are growing in the building’s hot water system, and were identified after officials investigated the building’s engineering systems, said the New York Health Department in a statement.
The department said it is working with the building for an “extensive remediation”, which can continue for months or years. Meanwhile, the Health Department said it has provided recommendations to residents on how to use water supply in a safe way while reducing its risk of contracting legionary disease.
On the other side of the Harlem River, at least six people have died and more than 100 people have recently ill from a group of legionaries that have affected the area this summer.
A demand filed last week alleges that a couple of construction companies cut the corners and caused a “completely preventable” outbreak of the disease of the legionaries in Harlem.
Legionnaires, a type of pneumonia, is caused by Legionella bacteria, which grows in warm water. Symptoms usually appear between two and 10 days after exposure to bacteria and may include headache, muscle aches, lack of breath, cough and fever.
It is not transmitted from person to person and is treatable with antibiotics, health officials say.
