Legionnaires' disease outbreak in NYC kills five
Spreading through contaminated droplets, the bug can cause fever and pneumonia, especially among people with weak immune systems.
The disease takes its name from the first known outbreak, which occurred in 1976 at a hotel in Philadelphia where the American Legion military veterans' association was holding a conference.
More than 220 people fell ill, of whom 34 died.
"The Health Department has sampled and tested water from cooling towers in the investigation zone. Any cooling towers with initial positive results for Legionella bacteria have completed the treatment required by the Health Department," New York's health department said in its statement.
"This community outbreak is not related to a building's hot or cold water supply."
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Time of India
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5th death linked to Legionnaires' disease outbreak that has sickened dozens in New York City
New York: Health officials have uncovered another death in connection with a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City, health officials said. The outbreak in Central Harlem has sickened dozens since it began in late July and the latest death was announced late Monday night. Officials said they had concluded the death of a person with the disease who died before mid-August is associated with the cluster, bringing the death toll in the city to five. Fourteen people were hospitalized as of Monday, according to the health department. The bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease had been discovered in 12 cooling towers on 10 buildings, including a city-run hospital and sexual health clinic, health officials said. Remediation efforts have since been completed on all of the cooling towers. Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella bacteria , which grow in warm water and spread through building water systems. The city's outbreak has been linked to cooling towers, which use water and a fan to cool buildings. People usually develop symptoms - a cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches and shortness of breath - between two days to two weeks after exposure to the bacteria, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. City health officials say people who live or work in the area should contact a health care provider if they develop flu-like symptoms.
The Hindu
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Shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons ails government hospitals in T.N.
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Time of India
9 hours ago
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Legionnaire's disease: 5th death reported; here are the early symptoms to know
Over the past few weeks, Central Harlem has been gripped by a Legionnaires' disease outbreak. Listed cases have climbed to 108 confirmed infections, with five tragic deaths now linked to the cluster. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Health officials traced the culprit—Legionella bacteria—to 12 cooling towers atop 10 different buildings, including a hospital and a sexual health clinic. All of these towers have been cleaned or fully remediated. The outbreak kicked off in late July, first gaining attention toward the end of that month. By August 14, there were 92 confirmed cases and three deaths, with eleven towers already treated and the twelfth scheduled for remediation by the next day. Fast forward to August 18–19, and the numbers soared to 108 cases, 14 hospitalizations, and a fifth death being linked to the outbreak after careful investigation. Know the signs: Early symptoms to watch for Legionnaires' disease is a treatable form of pneumonia. It typically shows up 2 to 10 days after exposure, sometimes even up to 14 days. Symptoms often feel flu-like: Cough (dry or productive) Fever and chills Headaches Muscle aches Shortness of breath Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or other tummy troubles in some cases It's not spread person-to-person. The danger: if you ignore it, it can escalate—especially for older folks or those with weakened immune systems. But caught early, antibiotics do the trick. How to stay safe? Legionnaires' disease isn't passed from person to person like the flu or COVID. You don't catch it from your neighbor coughing. The risk comes from breathing in tiny water droplets (mist, vapor, steam) that contain the bacteria. So if you're in an area with an outbreak, a little extra caution goes a long way. First, pay attention to local health alerts—especially if you live near Harlem or any of the affected ZIP codes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials usually test and clean cooling towers pretty quickly, but knowing what's going on around you helps. If you see big misting air systems or fountains that look sketchy, maybe give them some space. Second, listen to your body. If you suddenly feel like you've been hit with a bad flu—fever, cough, shortness of breath—don't brush it off. Call your doctor. Antibiotics work well if you catch it early. Lastly, if you have a weaker immune system, are older, or already deal with lung issues, be extra cautious. Wash your hands often, stay hydrated, and don't hesitate to seek care fast. Bottom line: stay alert, stay informed, and get help early if symptoms show up.
