Latest news with #NYCHealth
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
New York steps up war on rats with sterilisation, high-tech tracking
NEW YORK, Aug 9 — New York is waging a war on multiple fronts to combat the near ubiquitous rats that plague city streets and the subways, leaving some residents afraid to let their children walk on sidewalks. Faced with an overwhelming and ever-growing problem, officials have moved beyond gassing burrows to suffocate rodents and are now using high-tech mapping tools to try and sterilize the population. Alongside targeted interventions, officials are mounting an effort to educate the public about the need to avoid leaving behind food waste that feeds and sustains the rat population. Caroline Bragdon, director of neighborhood interventions for Pest Control Services within New York City's Department of Health, told AFP that the lack of food 'stresses' rats and other vermin. 'Perhaps this forces them to go further in search of food, but perhaps they simply have fewer offspring,' she said. 'That's usually what we're seeing. Fewer rats over time. Less breeding leads to less rat activity,' Bragdon added. The city is testing out an arsenal of different tools in the Harlem neighborhood, aiming to find new products and methods to tackle the rats. For large, densely populated cities like New York—with its 8.5 million inhabitants—food sources for the rodents are bountiful, whether it's on sidewalks, in overflowing trash bins, or in parks. 'Lately, I haven't felt that I have to run in between the mounds of trash to run away from rats because they have those new (sealed trash) containers,' said Harlem resident Karen Del Aguila, 50. Rats, which survive on practically the same diet as humans, can flourish even on items discarded as trash—like soda cans thrown into recycling bins, or crumbs given to pigeons, warned Bragdon. A rat needs one ounce (28 grams) of food per day to sustain itself, and it can have up to 12 offspring per litter. During its short life of less than a year, it can have between five and seven litters. The best way to counter the scourge of rats is to 'remove their food source... So make it harder for them, then they're going to have to travel further to try and find something,' said Alexa Albert, a supervisor for the city's pest control service. It can be done She swiped her screen to show the street-level data logged on a rat tracker app used by those involved in the crusade against rodent infestation. The city health department's 70 inspectors use the mobile app to detect, report and monitor rodent activity—as well as plot abatement tactics. Inspectors go door to door asking businesses and residents to clean buildings, stores, and sidewalks. Authorities also now offer training on how to combat rats, taken by thousands of residents and building managers. In October 2022, New York City vaunted a 'trash revolution,' aimed at installing sealed containers to allow the removal of black bags of organic waste from sidewalks after rats surged during the coronavirus pandemic. Pre-pandemic, their population had been cut by as much as 90 percent in some areas. 'So we know it can be done,' said Bragdon, who added that she hoped 2025 would be a 'turnaround year.' Local resident Jessica Sanchez said she had observed much fewer rats in her neighborhood. 'Not a long time ago, when you went to put out the trash, five of them came out,' she said. 'I was even afraid to put my son on the floor.' The rat warriors are seeking to learn the rodents' dietary habits throughout the year by using samples of different food types to identify what bait they are most likely to take. In 2024, complaints about rat activity dropped 25 percent compared to the year before, according to official data. But so far, only Manhattan's Chinatown has managed to bring the rat population under control. — AFP
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New York declares total war on prolific rat population
New York is waging a war on multiple fronts to combat the near ubiquitous rats that plague city streets and the subways, leaving some residents afraid to let their children walk on sidewalks. Faced with an overwhelming and ever-growing problem, officials have moved beyond gassing burrows to suffocate rodents and are now using high-tech mapping tools to try and sterilize the population. Alongside targeted interventions, officials are mounting an effort to educate the public about the need to avoid leaving behind food waste that feeds and sustains the rat population. Caroline Bragdon, director of neighborhood interventions for Pest Control Services within New York City's Department of Health, told AFP that the lack of food "stresses" rats and other vermin. "Perhaps this forces them to go further in search of food, but perhaps they simply have fewer offspring," she said. "That's usually what we're seeing. Fewer rats over time. Less breeding leads to less rat activity," Bragdon added. The city is testing out an arsenal of different tools in the Harlem neighborhood, aiming to find new products and methods to tackle the rats. For large, densely populated cities like New York -- with its 8.5 million inhabitants -- food sources for the rodents are bountiful, whether it's on sidewalks, in overflowing trash bins, or in parks. "Lately, I haven't felt that I have to run in between the mounds of trash to run away from rats because they have those new (sealed trash) containers," said Harlem resident Karen Del Aguila, 50. Rats, which survive on practically the same diet as humans, can flourish even on items discarded as trash -- like soda cans thrown into recycling bins, or crumbs given to pigeons, warned Bragdon. A rat needs one ounce (28 grams) of food per day to sustain itself, and it can have up to 12 offspring per litter. During its short life of less than a year, it can have between five and seven litters. The best way to counter the scourge of rats is to "remove their food source... So make it harder for them, then they're going to have to travel further to try and find something," said Alexa Albert, a supervisor for the city's pest control service. - 'It can be done' - She swiped her screen to show the street-level data logged on a rat tracker app used by those involved in the crusade against rodent infestation. The city health department's 70 inspectors use the mobile app to detect, report and monitor rodent activity -- as well as plot abatement tactics. Inspectors go door to door asking businesses and residents to clean buildings, stores, and sidewalks. Authorities also now offer training on how to combat rats, taken by thousands of residents and building managers. In October 2022, New York City vaunted a "trash revolution," aimed at installing sealed containers to allow the removal of black bags of organic waste from sidewalks after rats surged during the coronavirus pandemic. Pre-pandemic, their population had been cut by as much as 90 percent in some areas. "So we know it can be done," said Bragdon, who added that she hoped 2025 would be a "turnaround year." Local resident Jessica Sanchez said she had observed much fewer rats in her neighborhood. "Not a long time ago, when you went to put out the trash, five of them came out," she said. "I was even afraid to put my son on the floor." The rat warriors are seeking to learn the rodents' dietary habits throughout the year by using samples of different food types to identify what bait they are most likely to take. In 2024, complaints about rat activity dropped 25 percent compared to the year before, according to official data. But so far, only Manhattan's Chinatown has managed to bring the rat population under control. af-gw/sla
CBS News
5 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
NYC officials to give update on Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem
A deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City has set health and community leaders on a campaign to educate the public on ways to prevent the bacteria from growing and spreading. City Councilmember Yusef Salaam, New York Assemblyman Jordan Wright, and city Department of Health officials have scheduled a news conference Thursday at 3 p.m. to update the public on the outbreak in Harlem. You can watch the news conference live in the player above on CBS News New York. At least three people have died out of more than 70 cases since the Central Harlem Legionnaires' disease cluster was discovered on July 25, according to NYC Health. Officials believe they traced the outbreak to cooling towers on 11 buildings. Legionnaires' is a severe and potentially deadly form of pneumonia that grows in warm, stagnant water and spreads through mist in the air. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, muscle aches and shortness of breath. So far, cases have been found in these zip codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039. It's feared the number of cases could rise as more people may have been exposed, but are not yet symptomatic. "It can take up to two weeks in certain people. Some people it can take a couple of days, but for the most part, it's between two days to 14 days," Tony Esselstyn, deputy chief medical officer at the NYC Department of Health and Hygiene, said. Most people are at a low risk, but the bacteria poses a greater threat to smokers and people over 50. Anyone with symptoms in the identified zip codes is urged to see a health care provider.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
NYC Legionnaires' Disease outbreak has killed 3 and sickened dozens. Here's how the city is responding.
New York City Department of Health inspectors are fanning out across Central Harlem to inspect cooling towers amid a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease. So far there have been 67 cases identified since July 25. Three people have died. Legionnaires' Diseases is a severe and potentially deadly form of pneumonia. It's not spread person-to-person, but rather through mist in the air. City officials believe cooling towers on the tops of 11 buildings are the source of the bacteria Legionella pneumophila, which grows in warm, stagnant water, causing the outbreak. The towers atop those 11 buildings have since been cleaned. "They sometimes can have Legionella growing inside of them. There is a special maintenance that each of these facilities uses and does on a regular bases, they prevent the colonization of their water systems with Legionella, but sometimes, even despite the best maintenance, this can still be a problem," said Dr. Aaron Glatt, Chair of Medicine and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital. Mayor Eric Adams said building owners in the area have also been instructed to conduct inspections. "If we find any source of Legionnaires' Disease, we are instructing the building owners to do a full remediation within 24 hours," Adams said in a post on social media. The outbreak began July 25, and is mostly contained to five Central Harlem zip codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039. Adams is urging anyone in the area with flulike symptoms to seek medical help. People at higher risk include those over age 50, and smokers. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills and trouble breathing. Legionnaires' Disease can be treated with antibiotics. Complications are less likely if treatment begins early. Click here for more information about Legionnaires' disease from the New York City Department of Health.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Legionnaires' disease cluster in NYC grows: 3 dead, 67 sickened
Three people have died and more than 60 others are sickened in a growing Legionnaires' disease cluster in New York City, according to officials. The cluster, which began July 25, has led to 67 Legionnaires' disease diagnoses in Central Harlem as of Aug. 5, according to the NYC Department of Health's latest update. The source of the cluster is believed to be a cooling tower in the area, according to the agency. Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella, which grows in warm water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Legionnaires' disease: What to know about growing NYC cluster Where is the NYC Legionnaires' cluster? NYC Health said the Legionnaires' disease cluster is affecting the following Central Harlem zip codes: 10027 10030 10035 10037 10039 The agency previously said the likely source of the bacteria causing the Legionnaires' cluster is a cooling tower in the area. After testing, 11 cooling towers in the area of the cluster had positive results for the Legionella bacteria. NYC Health said Aug. 4 that remediation of the 11 towers had been completed. "Anyone in these zip codes with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible," Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said in a release. "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." The health department also said the cluster does not involve any building's plumbing system, meaning it is safe to drink water, bathe, shower, cook and use air conditioners. What is Legionnaires' disease? Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by consuming water contaminated with Legionella bacteria, according to the CDC. Symptoms of the disease can take up to 14 days after exposure to show up and can include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches and shortness of breath. Legionnaires' disease can be treated with antibiotics, and most healthy people who get infected usually get better. However, about one in 10 people who get Legionnaires' disease die from it, according to the CDC. The best way to prevent Legionnaires' disease, which is a waterborne illness, is by cleaning pipes and devices that use water, according to the CDC. Is there a Legionnaires' disease outbreak? While the number of people with Legionnaires' disease in the Harlem area has grown, NYC Health has not yet categorized the diagnoses as an outbreak. The agency has referred to it as a cluster. According to the CDC, a cluster is defined as "an aggregation of cases grouped in place and time that are suspected to be greater than the number expected, even though the expected number may not be known." An outbreak is "when there are more disease cases than what is typically expected for a target population in a given time and within a specific location," according to the CDC. USA TODAY has reached out to NYC Health for more information about its characterization of the disease grouping. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 dead, 67 sickened in Harlem Legionnaires' disease cluster Solve the daily Crossword
