One person has died and 21 more have fallen ill following an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in central Harlem, the NYC Health Department announced Wednesday.
All the people have been diagnosed since July 25, according to the health department. The victims have not been publicly identified.
“Anyone with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible,” Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Toni Eyssallenne said in a press release. “Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early, but New Yorkers at higher risk…should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin.”
Those at higher risk include anyone age 50 and older, people who smoke cigarettes, anyone with chronic lung conditions and people with weakened immune systems.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which often thrives in warm water. Its typical sources include cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems.
All cooling towers operating in central Harlem have been sampled by the NYC Health Department in its ongoing investigation.
“The Health Department has directed building owners with initial positive screening results to initiate remediation within 24 hours,” the department wrote.
Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from person-to-person, and it can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
Last year, four people died from an outbreak of the disease in Albany.
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