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Rare pneumonia-like illness kills 3 in New York City: What is Legionnaires' disease? Is it deadly?
Three people have died and 67 others have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in New York City's Harlem in recent weeks.
Those at greater risk include people over the age of 50, smokers, and individuals with weakened immune systems or long-term breathing problems. Health authorities have advised them to take extra care.
ALSO READ | Ditch that soda and noodles. The lung cancer link to ultra-processed foods
Officials say the outbreak in Central Harlem is connected to cooling towers. These are large units that use water and fans to help cool buildings.
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But what exactly is this pneumonia-like illness? What symptoms should people look out for, and how is it treated?
Let's take a look:
What is Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.
These bacteria grow in warm water and can spread through building water systems. Common sources include showerheads, hot tubs and cooling towers.
People usually catch the illness by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. Hospital patients can also get infected through tainted water or ice, and babies may be exposed during water births, according to health officials.
The disease does not spread from person to person.
It mainly affects the lungs but can also harm the brain and digestive system. In some cases, it can be life-threatening.
Stomach pain is one of the symptoms. Pixabay/Representational Image
Although not very common, Legionnaires' disease has been reported more often in recent years. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of cases has gone up nearly nine times since 2000.
In the Harlem outbreak, health officials have linked the source to cooling towers. So far, 11 towers have tested positive for the bacteria.
These towers help cool large systems like central air conditioning and refrigeration. Authorities have assured residents in the affected areas that their tap water is safe. They can continue to shower, bathe, cook and use air conditioners at home.
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Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease
Legionnaires' disease usually develops two to 14 days after contact with the bacteria and causes symptoms similar to pneumonia.
Common symptoms include:
Fever
Muscle aches
Cough (often dry)
Shortness of breath
Headache
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Stomach pain
Confusion
Coughing up blood
While it mostly affects the lungs, the infection can also spread to wounds and other parts of the body, including the heart.
ALSO READ | Is it safe to boil water more than once?
Can it be treated?
Yes. Legionnaires' disease is treated with antibiotics. These may be given through a drip or as tablets, depending on the condition of the patient, according to Cleveland Clinic.
If breathing becomes difficult, doctors may provide oxygen support. Most people need hospital care while being treated.
'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,' said acting Health Commissioner Dr Michelle Morse was quoted as saying by The New York Post.
With early treatment, most people recover fully, though it may take a few weeks to feel completely well again.
Officials say the outbreak in New York City's Central Harlem is connected to cooling towers. Reuters/File Photo
How can Legionnaires' disease be prevented?
According to the World Health Organization (Who), those in charge of maintaining buildings and water systems can help prevent Legionnaires' disease by limiting the growth of Legionella bacteria.
This includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting cooling towers, keeping the right level of chlorine in spa pools and flushing unused taps at least once a week.
There are also precautions people can take at home. Health officials in New York state recommend draining garden hoses, following cleaning and replacement instructions for water filters, checking chlorine levels in pools and hot tubs often and flushing hot water heaters twice a year.
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Is it deadly?
Legionnaires' disease is a serious illness, but with the right treatment, most people recover.
Lung infections caused by Legionella are fatal in about five to 10 per cent of treated cases.
Without treatment, the risk of death rises sharply, with fatality rates ranging from 30 to 80 per cent.
With inputs from agencies
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Rare pneumonia-like illness kills 3 in New York City: What is Legionnaires' disease? Is it deadly?
Three people have died and 67 others have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in New York City in recent weeks. The illness, a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, mainly affects people over 50, smokers, and those with chronic lung issues or weakened immunity read more Three people have died and 67 others have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in New York City's Harlem in recent weeks. Those at greater risk include people over the age of 50, smokers, and individuals with weakened immune systems or long-term breathing problems. Health authorities have advised them to take extra care. ALSO READ | Ditch that soda and noodles. The lung cancer link to ultra-processed foods Officials say the outbreak in Central Harlem is connected to cooling towers. These are large units that use water and fans to help cool buildings. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what exactly is this pneumonia-like illness? What symptoms should people look out for, and how is it treated? Let's take a look: What is Legionnaires' disease? Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. These bacteria grow in warm water and can spread through building water systems. Common sources include showerheads, hot tubs and cooling towers. People usually catch the illness by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. Hospital patients can also get infected through tainted water or ice, and babies may be exposed during water births, according to health officials. The disease does not spread from person to person. It mainly affects the lungs but can also harm the brain and digestive system. In some cases, it can be life-threatening. Stomach pain is one of the symptoms. Pixabay/Representational Image Although not very common, Legionnaires' disease has been reported more often in recent years. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of cases has gone up nearly nine times since 2000. In the Harlem outbreak, health officials have linked the source to cooling towers. So far, 11 towers have tested positive for the bacteria. These towers help cool large systems like central air conditioning and refrigeration. Authorities have assured residents in the affected areas that their tap water is safe. They can continue to shower, bathe, cook and use air conditioners at home. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease Legionnaires' disease usually develops two to 14 days after contact with the bacteria and causes symptoms similar to pneumonia. Common symptoms include: Fever Muscle aches Cough (often dry) Shortness of breath Headache Nausea Diarrhoea Stomach pain Confusion Coughing up blood While it mostly affects the lungs, the infection can also spread to wounds and other parts of the body, including the heart. ALSO READ | Is it safe to boil water more than once? Can it be treated? Yes. Legionnaires' disease is treated with antibiotics. These may be given through a drip or as tablets, depending on the condition of the patient, according to Cleveland Clinic. If breathing becomes difficult, doctors may provide oxygen support. Most people need hospital care while being treated. '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,' said acting Health Commissioner Dr Michelle Morse was quoted as saying by The New York Post. With early treatment, most people recover fully, though it may take a few weeks to feel completely well again. Officials say the outbreak in New York City's Central Harlem is connected to cooling towers. Reuters/File Photo How can Legionnaires' disease be prevented? According to the World Health Organization (Who), those in charge of maintaining buildings and water systems can help prevent Legionnaires' disease by limiting the growth of Legionella bacteria. This includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting cooling towers, keeping the right level of chlorine in spa pools and flushing unused taps at least once a week. There are also precautions people can take at home. Health officials in New York state recommend draining garden hoses, following cleaning and replacement instructions for water filters, checking chlorine levels in pools and hot tubs often and flushing hot water heaters twice a year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Is it deadly? Legionnaires' disease is a serious illness, but with the right treatment, most people recover. Lung infections caused by Legionella are fatal in about five to 10 per cent of treated cases. Without treatment, the risk of death rises sharply, with fatality rates ranging from 30 to 80 per cent. With inputs from agencies
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Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grow in warm water and spread in building water systems. They can be found in places such as showerheads, hot tubs and cooling towers. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in New York City has killed three people and sickened more than five dozen since late July. City health officials link the Central Harlem outbreak to cooling towers, structures containing water and a fan that are used to cool buildings. They said 11 of these towers initially tested positive for a type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease, but the problem has been urged people in the area with flu-like symptoms to contact a health care provider as soon as possible, especially if they are 50 or older, smoke or have chronic lung a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grow in warm water and spread in building water systems. They can be found in places such as showerheads, hot tubs and cooling often get the disease by inhaling aerosols from contaminated water. Hospital patients can also contract it through contaminated water or ice, and babies can be exposed during water births, health officials said. People don't get it from each usually develop two days to two weeks after exposure and include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches and shortness of breath, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and important to be diagnosed quickly and treated with the appropriate antibiotics, health officials untreated, the disease usually worsens during the first week, the World Health Organization said. Complications can include respiratory failure, shock and kidney or multi-organ responsible for the safety of buildings and water systems can reduce the threat by taking steps to minimize the growth of the bacteria, the WHO said. For example, they should regularly clean and disinfect cooling towers, maintain an adequate level of chlorine in spa pools and flush unused taps in buildings are also steps people can take to reduce the risk of Legionnaires' disease at home. New York state health officials suggest draining garden hoses; following manufacturers' instructions for cleaning and replacing water filters; checking chlorine levels in pools and hot tubs regularly and flushing hot water heaters twice a year.A1. Legionnaires' Disease is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria. People can get sick when they breathe in small droplets of water that contain the bacteria. It is not spread person to person.A2. Symptoms usually begin 2 to 10 days after exposure and may include: Cough, Shortness of breath, Fever, Muscle aches, Headaches.
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An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in New York City has killed three people and sickened more than five dozen since late July. City health officials link the Central Harlem outbreak to cooling towers, structures containing water and a fan that are used to cool buildings. They said 11 of these towers initially tested positive for a type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease, but the problem has been remedied. They urged people in the area with flu-like symptoms to contact a health care provider as soon as possible, especially if they are 50 or older, smoke or have chronic lung conditions. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program What is Legionnaires' Disease? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo It's a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grow in warm water and spread in building water systems. They can be found in places such as showerheads, hot tubs and cooling towers. People often get the disease by inhaling aerosols from contaminated water. Hospital patients can also contract it through contaminated water or ice, and babies can be exposed during water births, health officials said. People don't get it from each other. Live Events Legionnaires' Disease Symptoms , Treatment Symptoms usually develop two days to two weeks after exposure and include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches and shortness of breath, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's important to be diagnosed quickly and treated with the appropriate antibiotics, health officials said. If untreated, the disease usually worsens during the first week, the World Health Organization said. Complications can include respiratory failure, shock and kidney or multi-organ failure. How can Legionnaires' Disease be Prevented? People responsible for the safety of buildings and water systems can reduce the threat by taking steps to minimize the growth of the bacteria, the WHO said. For example, they should regularly clean and disinfect cooling towers, maintain an adequate level of chlorine in spa pools and flush unused taps in buildings weekly. There are also steps people can take to reduce the risk of Legionnaires' disease at home. New York state health officials suggest draining garden hoses; following manufacturers' instructions for cleaning and replacing water filters; checking chlorine levels in pools and hot tubs regularly and flushing hot water heaters twice a year. FAQs Q1. What is Legionnaires' Disease and how is it transmitted? A1. Legionnaires' Disease is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria. People can get sick when they breathe in small droplets of water that contain the bacteria. It is not spread person to person. Q2. What are the symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease? A2. Symptoms usually begin 2 to 10 days after exposure and may include: Cough, Shortness of breath, Fever, Muscle aches, Headaches.
