A person has dead and almost two dozen people have become ill as part of a group of legionaries in Harlem, according to city health officials.
The disease was initially detected on July 25; Since then, a person has died and 22 has been diagnosed, the New York City Health Department said Wednesday.
There were no details available immediately with respect to the person who died as a result of the disease.
Legionnaire’s, a type of pneumonia, is caused by legionella bacteria, which grows in warm water. The cases of the cluster have been found in five postal codes of Harlem: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039, together with the border communities, according to health officials.
All cooling towers operating in the impacted area have been shown, and the Health Department told buildings where positive results were found to start the remediation in one day.
Those who have been in the area impacted since the end of July and have experienced symptoms similar to flu, fever, coughing or difficulty breathing should seek medial attention immediately, according to the Department of Health.
Legionaries’ disease is not transmitted from person to person, and is treatable with antibiotics. He extended breathing in water vapor that contains legionella bacteria. The conditions for bacteria to grow are favorable in things such as cooling towers, swirl spas, hydromassage baths, humidifiers, hot water tanks and large air conditioning systems.
An investigation is ongoing.
People with the greatest risk include those 50 years or more, cigarette smokers and people with chronic lung disease or committed immune systems. People who live or work in the area who are experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention with a primary care supplier or seek urgent care, authorities say.
In 2022, at least five people died of Legionnaires disease during the summer in an elderly home in Manhattan at the worst outbreak of the city, in terms of total cases, since a cooling tower was blamed in the Bronx for an infection that caused 16 deaths. Usually, around 200 to 700 people are diagnosed each year, according to official health data.
What is legionaries’ disease?
Legionnaires is a type of pneumonia or a pulmonary infection, said the state doh.
Legionella bacteria can also lead to a softer disease called Pontiac Fever, which resembles symptoms similar to flu.
How does it extend?
The Legionella bacteria spread when someone inhales small drops of contaminated water, commonly found in hydromassage baths, industrial air conditioning systems, decorative sources, plumbing systems and even drinking water.
The shoots often occur in large and complex water systems found in places such as hotels, hospitals and cruises.
Bacteria can also survive and spread on the ground, which occasionally causes infections when people garden contaminated.
However, in most cases, people do not transmit the disease of legionaries or the Pontiac fever to others.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of legionaries’ disease generally appear between two and 10 days after exposure to bacteria and may include:
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Fever
The New Jersey Health Department said the symptoms can be similar to those of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases such as flu. Only tests ordered by a doctor can confirm a diagnosis.
Who has greater risk?
The most susceptible to legionary disease include adults over 50, individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic, smoking.
It is more rare than healthy people who are exposed to Legionella bacteria develop legionary disease.
Can it be treated?
Antibiotics are used to treat legionary disease, although it often requires hospitalization.
Any person suspicious of exposure to legionella or who experiences symptoms of legionella disease or pneumonia should quickly contact a doctor. It is important to mention any exposure to Legionella, use of the hydromassage bathtub, recent trips or hospital stays in the last two weeks.
For more information about Legionnaires disease, visit the CDC website.
