Latest news with #NYCHealthOfficials
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Legionnaires' disease cluster in New York City causes a 4th death, sickens over 100 people. What is it, and how do you get it?
NYC health officials identified the buildings connected to the outbreak, one being Harlem Hospital. A fourth person has died, and over 100 people have been sickened with Legionnaires' disease — 15 of them currently hospitalized — amid an outbreak in central Harlem in New York City, health officials said Thursday. The disease was initially detected on July 25. Since then, the New York City Department of Health has been investigating the cluster and linked it to 12 cooling towers in 10 Harlem buildings. Cooling towers are structures containing water and a fan that are used to regulate a building's temperature. Eleven of the 12 cooling towers that tested positive for the bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease have been remediated, with the last one currently undergoing remediation, acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse said during a Thursday news conference. Health officials released a list on Thursday that identifies the 10 buildings connected to the outbreak: BRP Companies, Lafayette Development LLC, 2239 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. BVK, 215 W. 125th St. Commonwealth Local Development, 301 W. 124th St. CUNY — City College Marshak Science Building, 181 Convent Ave. Harlem Center Condo, 317 Lenox Ave. NYC Economic Development Corporation, 40 W. 137th St. NYC Health Department Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic, 2238 Fifth Ave. NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, 506 Lenox Ave. The New York Hotel Trades Council Harlem Health Center, 133 Morningside Ave. Wharton Properties, 100 W. 125th St. (three of eight towers) Overall, the following ZIP codes have been affected in Harlem: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039. 'We are continuing to urge all New Yorkers who live or work in the identified ZIP codes in central Harlem who have flu-like symptoms to contact a health care provider immediately,' Morse said. 'New Yorkers should know the air is safe to breathe, and we are seeing declining numbers of new cases each day,' New York City Mayor Eric Adams told the media. 'I want to thank the health workers who worked tirelessly to treat this community and make sure its residents are healthy.' 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.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Legionnaires' disease cluster in New York City causes a 4th death, sickens over 100 people. What is it, and how do you get it?
NYC health officials identified the buildings connected to the outbreak, one being Harlem Hospital. A fourth person has died, and over 100 people have been sickened with Legionnaires' disease — 15 of them currently hospitalized — amid an outbreak in central Harlem in New York City, health officials said Thursday. The disease was initially detected on July 25. Since then, the New York City Department of Health has been investigating the cluster and linked it to 12 cooling towers in 10 Harlem buildings. Cooling towers are structures containing water and a fan that are used to regulate a building's temperature. Eleven of the 12 cooling towers that tested positive for the bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease have been remediated, with the last one currently undergoing remediation, acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse said during a Thursday news conference. Health officials released a list on Thursday that identifies the 10 buildings connected to the outbreak: BRP Companies, Lafayette Development LLC, 2239 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. BVK, 215 W. 125th St. Commonwealth Local Development, 301 W. 124th St. CUNY — City College Marshak Science Building, 181 Convent Ave. Harlem Center Condo, 317 Lenox Ave. NYC Economic Development Corporation, 40 W. 137th St. NYC Health Department Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic, 2238 Fifth Ave. NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, 506 Lenox Ave. The New York Hotel Trades Council Harlem Health Center, 133 Morningside Ave. Wharton Properties, 100 W. 125th St. (three of eight towers) Overall, the following ZIP codes have been affected in Harlem: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039. 'We are continuing to urge all New Yorkers who live or work in the identified ZIP codes in central Harlem who have flu-like symptoms to contact a health care provider immediately,' Morse said. 'New Yorkers should know the air is safe to breathe, and we are seeing declining numbers of new cases each day,' New York City Mayor Eric Adams told the media. 'I want to thank the health workers who worked tirelessly to treat this community and make sure its residents are healthy.' 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.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
New York Legionnaires' disease cluster grows to 99 cases, 4 deaths
This 1978 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Legionella pneumophila bacteria which are responsible for causing the pneumonic disease Legionnaires' disease. (Francis Chandler/CDC via AP, File) Health officials in New York City say a cluster of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem has grown to 99 cases, including four deaths. Health officials suspect the bacteria that causes the disease, Legionella, originated cooling towers — devices that uses water to cool large buildings and then disperse mist into the air. If the water inside becomes too warm, stagnant, or isn't properly disinfected, Legionella can grow and sicken people who inhale the mist. On Thursday, the New York City Department of Health confirmed positive tests of the bacteria in 12 cooling towers serving 10 buildings in the area, including NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem. The U.S. Department of Health says 11 of the 12 cooling towers have already been repaired and the final tower should be remediated by Friday. Health officials emphasized that plumbing systems are separate from cooling tower systems in affected buildings. 'This community outbreak is not related to a building's hot or cold water supply. Residents in these ZIP codes can continue to drink water, bathe, shower, cook, and use their air conditioner,' it said. The current Legionnaires' cluster was first announced on July 25. Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said inspectors are working with building owners to ensure compliance with testing and remediation. 'The good news is that new cases have begun to decline, which indicates that the sources of the bacteria have been contained,' Morse said. 'New Yorkers who live or work in the identified ZIP codes and have flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible for timely diagnosis and treatment for the best chance at a good outcome.' Legionnaires' disease causes flu-like symptoms, including cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. It is treatable with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can lead to shock and multi-organ failure, according to the World Health Organization. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 10 per cent of people who contract the disease die from complications, with older adults and people with weakened immune systems at higher risk. By Nadia Kounang, CNN
CBS News
06-08-2025
- Health
- CBS News
As Legionnaires' disease spreads in NYC, doctor explains the science behind the outbreak
The Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City is now blamed for another death and continues to spread. Three people have died and at least 64 others have gotten sick since the outbreak was first reported on July 25. CBS News New York spoke with one doctor who explained anyone can be diagnosed with the disease, and some people are more at risk. "Unfortunately, there's nothing that one can do to prevent it if it is around and you're breathing it in," said Dr. Aaron Glatt, Chair of Medicine and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital. "However, fortunately, most people don't get it, and, fortunately, most people, if they do get it, don't get extremely sick from it. "But people that are at higher risk -- people that have underlying lung diseases, people who have other medical problems -- they can be much more susceptible to serious Legionnaires' disease." Legionnaires' doesn't spread from person to person or from drinking water, but it can be inhaled through mist in the air. It's caused by a bacteria, known as the species Legionella pneumophila. NYC health officials say this outbreak was traced to 11 buildings in Central Harlem with contaminated cooling towers. "These large air conditioning systems, 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," Dr. Glatt explained. "For most people, this isn't a problem. It's only these large systems where they have special cooling with water as part of the centralized air conditioning system," he added. "So a person with their own private system, this isn't the problem. And, usually, it's not a problem even in these large systems because they're maintained properly." Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said Tuesday crews are working to test and clean the towers, and the city has launched a public awareness campaign in the area. "Unfortunately, until that's done, there can be aerosolization with the water in the air, and people who are walking nearby can, unfortunately, get infected by that method," said Dr. Glatt. Legionnaires' is a severe form of pneumonia, and health officials urge people to look out for any flulike symptoms. Glatt says the top two are shortness of breath or a cough. People with lung diseases, like emphysema, COPD or severe cases of asthma, and people with other major medical conditions or who are of older age will be at higher risk. "The good news is if it is diagnosed early, then there are good antibiotic treatments that one can take that can mitigate or really make the disease not usually a fatal disease," Dr. Glatt said. "But again, in some people, it will be a serious infection." CLICK HERE for more information about Legionnaires' disease from the New York City Department of Health.
