Legionnaires' disease cluster in New York City causes 3 deaths, sickens over 70 people. What is it, and how do you get it?
Three people have died and over 70 people have been sickened by Legionnaires' disease amid a cluster discovered in central Harlem in New York City, according to an update from health officials Wednesday.
The disease was initially detected on July 25. Since then, the New York City Department of Health has been investigating the cluster and has sampled all cooling towers within the affected area, which help regulate a building's temperature. Eleven cooling towers tested positive for the bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease. The remediation of the 11 towers required by the health department has been completed, according to a Monday update.
The following ZIP codes and bordering communities have been affected in Harlem: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039.
"Anyone in these ZIP codes with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible," said acting health commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. "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."
What is Legionnaires' disease?
It's a serious type of pneumonia, a lung infection, that is caused by Legionella bacteria.
People can become sick from inhaling water vapor that's contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Less commonly, a person can get sick when water contaminated with the bacteria accidentally enters the lungs by aspiration.
How does it spread?
In general, Legionnaires' is not transmitted from person to person. Legionella can grow and spread in human-made water systems like showerheads and sink faucets, hot tubs, decorative fountains, complex and large plumbing systems and cooling towers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are also factors that make it easier for Legionella to grow and survive in water, including:
Biofilm, which is slime that enables germs to grow
Temperatures from 77 degrees to 113 degrees Fahrenheit
Not having enough disinfectant
Slow or no water movement (Read more from the CDC about how to prevent waterborne germs while away from your home.)
What are the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease?
Symptoms usually appear in a person within two to 14 days after they've been exposed to the bacteria, the CDC says. Symptoms can be similar to other types of pneumonia, such as:
Headache
Muscle aches
Shortness of breath
Cough
Fever
Other symptoms can include confusion, diarrhea or nausea.
Who is at risk of getting sick?
Most healthy people exposed to Legionella don't become ill, according to the CDC's website. However, the following people are at increased risk of getting sick from the bacteria:
People 50 years and older
Current or former smokers
People with specific health issues or conditions, like cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, kidney failure, liver failure and a weak immune system
Diagnosis and treatment
A chest x-ray can confirm if a person has pneumonia. But additional tests are needed to confirm if Legionella bacteria is the cause behind it, such as a urine test, or a lab test involving a sample from phlegm (sputum) or lung lavage (lung washing), according to the CDC.
The disease is treatable with antibiotics, but hospital care is often needed.
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