Latest news with #HealthDepartment
Axios
4 hours ago
- Health
- Axios
Vaccine rates for kindergartners fall as exemptions rise
Vaccination coverage among American kindergarteners decreased for all reported vaccines over the 2024-2025 school year, according to new data released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why it matters: The drop coincides with measles cases in America hitting a 33-year high, while Trump's appointee to lead the Health Department, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., upends long-standing vaccine norms. What they're saying:"The decision to vaccinate is a personal one," a Health Department spokesperson told Axios in an emailed statement. "Parents should consult their healthcare providers on options for their families." The spokesperson said vaccination remains the "most effective way" to protect children from serious diseases like measles that can lead to "hospitalization and long-term health complications." By the numbers: Exemptions from one or more vaccines among kindergarteners increased to 3.6% from 3.3%, when compared to the 2023-2024 school year. Exemptions grew in 36 states and in D.C., and 17 states reported exemption numbers exceeding 5%. Idaho and Utah had the highest percentages of kindergarteners exempted from one or more vaccines, at 15.4% and 10.3% each, respectively. West Virginia and Montana did not report numbers to the CDC. Zoom out: America is experiencing its highest annual measles rate count since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. As of Tuesday, the CDC has confirmed a total of 1,333 measles cases, and 29 outbreaks have been reported in 2025. Of the 1,333 cases, kids under 5 years old make up 29% of confirmed cases, whereas people between 5 and 19 years old make up 37%. targeted herd immunity level of 95%.
Mint
5 hours ago
- Health
- Mint
Cooling towers under scrutiny as NYC Legionnaires' outbreak hits Harlem, one dead
One person has died and 22 others have fallen ill in a Legionnaires' disease cluster centered in Central Harlem's ZIP codes (10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, 10039) . The outbreak was first detected on July 25, with new cases expected through early August since symptoms can emerge up to 10 days after exposure to contaminated water vapor. Health officials confirm all operable cooling towers, common bacterial breeding grounds atop buildings, are being tested across the affected neighborhoods. Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria thriving in warm water systems like cooling towers, hot tubs, and plumbing networks . Infection occurs only when people inhale contaminated mist; it cannot spread through drinking water, person-to-person contact, or window AC units. High-risk groups include: Adults aged 50+ Smokers Those with chronic lung disease or weakened immunity The NYC Health Department has ordered emergency remediation within 24 hours for any cooling towers testing positive for Legionella. While officials haven't publicly identified specific contaminated sites, they confirm the source is likely a cooling tower emitting bacteria-laden mist in the outbreak zone. Residents can safely drink tap water and use home air conditioners, as risks are limited to vapor from large industrial systems. Antibiotics effectively treat the disease when administered early, preventing fatal lung failure that claims nearly 10% of cases nationwide. With cooling towers under scrutiny, the timing raises concerns: New York is enduring a heat wave driving record use of air-conditioning systems. Officials advise anyone in Harlem since late July with worsening respiratory symptoms to mention possible Legionella exposure to healthcare providers—critical for accurate diagnosis. Building owners citywide must register cooling towers and conduct routine Legionella testing under NYC regulations established after a 2015 Bronx outbreak killed 16 people. Real-time cooling tower inspection data is publicly accessible through the Health Department portal.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Cases of Legionnaires' disease in major city triple... as outbreak leaves one dead
A person has died and cases of Legionnaire's disease have reached at least 22 people in New York York. The New York Health Department said it was alerted to an outbreak in Central Harlem last week after three cases were confirmed in the area. On July 22, city officials confirmed there were eight people who had been infected with no deaths. However, the health department provided an update on July 30 and noted that cases have nearly tripled within a week. The patients are located in Harlem with the ZIP codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039, along with the bordering communities. No details about the deceased or infected individuals including their names, ages or genders, have been shared by officials. Health experts say the outbreak is not linked to an issue with any buildings' plumbing system and residents in these ZIP codes can continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook and use their air conditioning units at home. The disease is spread from various water sources, particularly public sites such as cooling towers and hot tubs. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation, and complications from the disease can be fatal. About one in 10 people who become sick will die from the infection. The health department said in a statement: 'People who have been in the affected area since late July with flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should seek immediate medical attention. 'People living or working in the area with flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing should contact a health care provider immediately. 'It is especially important for people at higher risk - including those ages 50 and older, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems - to get care if they have symptoms.' The infection is caused by a bacterium, known as Legionella that is primarily spread through the inhalation of contaminated water droplets or aerosols. These contaminated droplets can be released from various water sources, including cooling towers, hot tubs, showers and decorative fountains. The disease is not spread by drinking or swimming in water or person to person except in the instance of water accidentally getting into the lungs instead of the stomach. Plumbing systems, especially those associated with warm water, such as hot water tanks and distribution pipes, can also serve as reservoirs for Legionella bacteria to multiply. From there it can contaminate water in pipes. Stagnant or low-flow areas in pipes also foster Legionella growth. Previously, Dr Celia Quinn, deputy commissioner of the health department's Division of Disease Control, revealed that 'very hot and humid [weather] can help the bacteria to grow really rapidly'. Temperatures in the city are expected to reach 84 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend, with humidity levels of about 80 percent. In the last week, residents in New York have been dealing with sweltering heat as temperatures climbed to nearly 90F, with humidity levels of more than 70 percent. The Weather Channel predicts that temperatures above 80F will continue to be experienced by the city through most of August. Early symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, headache, lethargy, muscle pain and diarrhea. The severity can range from a mild cough to fatal pneumonia, and treating infection early with antibiotics is key for survival. Most healthy individuals do not become infected after exposure to Legionella, however, people most at risk include adults over 50, smokers and those with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions. The disease is treated with antibiotics including azithromycin, fluoroquinolones (like levofloxacin or moxifloxacin), and sometimes doxycycline or rifampin. The CDC reports that cases of Legionnaires' disease have been increasing since the early 2000s and hit a peak in 2018 with 9,933 confirmed cases. Due to reporting discrepancies and various databases, data on the number of legionnaires' cases and deaths is fragmented and varies. However, according to the CDC's National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDS), from 2000 through 2019, a total of 82,352 confirmed Legionnaires' disease cases were reported from 52 US jurisdictions. The most reliable way to determine if your water is contaminated with Legionella is to have it tested by a qualified laboratory. Home testing kits are also available, which involve collecting water samples and sending them to a lab for analysis. Earlier this week, health officials in Michigan also sounded the alarm over the spread of Legionnaires' disease after two people died of the infection this summer. Wayne County officials confirmed that both people were living in Allegria Village, a continuing care retirement community in Dearborn, Michigan when they contracted the infection in June and July. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reportedly said that both patients had tested positive for Legionnaires' disease Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation. It is caused by a bacterium, known as Legionella. Around 500 people in the UK and 6,100 in the US suffer every year. The condition can cause life-threatening complications, including respiratory failure, kidney failure and septic shock, which occurs when blood flow to the vital organs is blocked. Most sufferers become ill by inhaling tiny water droplets from infected sources, such as shower heads, hot tubs, swimming pools or ventilation systems in buildings. Anyone can become infected, however, at-risk people include the elderly, smokers and those with suppressed immune systems, such as chemotherapy patients. Symptoms usually develop between two and 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. Early signs include: Headache Muscle Pain Fever and chills People may then experience: Cough, which may bring up blood Breathlessness Chest pain Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Confusion Treatment is antibiotics, usually in hospital, as soon as possible. Prevention involves meticulous cleaning and disinfection of water systems. People can reduce their risk by not smoking as this damages the lungs and makes individuals more susceptible. Source: Mayo Clinic
New York Post
13 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem leaves at least one dead, 22 others sickened as health officials raise alarm
A New Yorker has died and at least 22 others have been sickened in the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem, city health officials said in an alarming update. The cluster of pneumonia-like illness, initially detected on July 25, has now been identified in several zipcodes across Harlem, the New York City Health Department said Wednesday. Details were not given on the person who had died. Advertisement 3 People gather at the Harlem Pride celebration on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post Deputy chief medical officer Dr. Toni Eyssallenne urged any New Yorkers with 'flu-like symptoms' to contact their health care provider as soon as possible. 'Legionnaires' disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early,' Eyssallenne said. 'But New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older, those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin.' Advertisement 3 A map of the zip codes affected. Although potentially deadly if not treated in time, Legionnaires' disease is not contagious and can be treated with antibiotics, the department said. The disease is typically transferred through water supplies contaminated with Legionella bacteria that can appear in plumbing systems and find favorable conditions in cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers and condensers in large air conditioning systems. 3 Legionnaire bacteria on a plate at a lab. There has been an outbreak of the disease in Harlem, NY. Brigitte Stelzer Advertisement All operable cooling towers in the area under investigation have been sampled — and the Health Department has ordered building owners with positive results to remediate the issue within 24 hours, officials said. The areas where cases have been confirmed are in five Harlem zip codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039, along with the bordering communities, the health department said.
The Independent
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
One dead and 22 sick from Legionnaires' cluster in New York, health officials say
One person is dead, and over 20 others have fallen ill after a new Legionnaires' outbreak in New York City, health officials say. The disease – a type of severe pneumonia that grows in warm water – was first detected last week in Harlem, the New York City Health Department said on Wednesday. Legionnaires is contracted by breathing in mist containing Legionella bacteria, which come from freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. The potentially fatal disease causes lung failure. It causes death in 1 of every 10 cases. About 1 out of every 10 people who fall ill with the disease will die due to complications from their illness. Legionnaires is proven to be more dangerous to those who contract it during a hospital stay, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms can strike anywhere from 2 to 14 days after a person has been exposed to the bacteria. Patients can expect typical pneumonia-like symptoms, including a cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. In some cases, infected people can also experience confusion, diarrhea, or nausea. Cooling towers – large heat exchangers in industrial areas – operating in the impacted zone have been sampled, and the health department has informed owners of the buildings where positive results were found to initiate remediation within a day. Anyone who was in the impacted area since late July and has experienced flu-like symptoms should seek medical attention immediately, said the health department. 'It is especially important for people at higher risk – including those ages 50 and older, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems – to get care if they have symptoms,' NYC officials said. Legionnaires cannot be spread from person to person. The disease grows in conditions such as cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks, and condensers of large air-conditioning systems. It can even be found in the windshield wiper fluid tank of a vehicle, according to the CDC. Health officials say that cases from the disease cluster have been found in five Harlem ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039, along with the bordering communities. No details were available for the patient who died. Infected persons can treat the disease with antibiotics, and in most cases, it can be treated successfully. The earlier it is detected, the more likely people are to recover. To prevent bacterial growth, people should use, clean, maintain, and store devices that use water according to the manufacturer's recommendations. This involves regularly cleaning devices such as portable humidifiers, CPAP machines, Neti pots or nasal rinses, shower heads, faucet aerators, and water filters to remove germs, dirt, and other debris. Legionella bacteria were first discovered following a pneumonia outbreak at the 58th Annual Convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia in 1976. A total of 29 of the affected 182 persons died after the bacteria were aerosolized from the water in the air conditioning system and inhaled by the convention goers. Affected patients developed symptoms ranging from a flu-like illness to multisystem organ failure, according to the National Library of Medicine. The most infamous outbreak of recent years occurred between 2014 and 2015, when 12 people died and 90 became sick from Legionnaires' disease after the City of Flint in Michigan switched its public water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River, reported .
