New York – A deadly outbreak of legionellosis in Harlem, which has made dozens of people since the end of July, continues to expand. The number of patients approaches the three digits, while a considerable number of people remains hospitalized.
Legionellosis is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grows in warm waters. The cases of the outbreak have been detected in five Postal Codes of Harlem: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039, as well as in the surrounding communities, according to health authorities.
If you have been in the affected postal codes and presents symptoms similar to those of the flu, fever, coughing or difficulty breathing, you should seek immediate medical attention, according to health authorities.
Until Tuesday night, three deaths had been recorded, the same figure as in the previous update. The number of cases increased from 81 to 90, and 15 people remain hospitalized, according to the Department of Health.
The interim health commissioner of New York City, Michelle Morse, warned that the number of cases will probably increase due to a delay in the notification, although there are indications that the rate of increase in cases could be decreasing. Morse believes that the city has contained the worst of the disease through the remediation of 11 cooling towers and the targeting of the response.
The monitoring continues.
What you should know about legionary disease:
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It is a type of severe pneumonia caused by a bacterium called Legionella. So you can prevent your contagion.
“If you are in the postal codes where exposure has been demonstrated, we want you to control your symptoms and go to a health professional as soon as possible so that you can access antibiotics, since it is treatable,” said Dr. Tony Eysssallenne, a medical deputy director of the City Health Department.
Samples of all the cooling towers that operate in the affected area have been taken, and the Department of Health has informed the owners of the buildings where positive results were found that initiate the remediation measures in one day.
Those who have been in the affected area since the end of July and present flu symptoms, fever, coughing or difficulty breathing should seek medical attention immediately, according to the Department of Health.
An investigation is being carried out.
How is this disease transmitted?
Legionellosis is not transmitted from person to person and is treated with antibiotics. It spreads when inhaled water vapor containing the legionella bacteria. The conditions for the growth of the bacteria are favorable in places such as cooling towers, jacuzzis, humidifiers, water heaters and capacitors of large air conditioning systems.
The most risky people are people 50 years or older, smokers and people with chronic lung diseases or weakened immune systems. People who live or work in the area and present these symptoms should seek medical attention with a header or seek urgent attention, according to the authorities.
In 2022, at least five people died from the legionary disease during the summer in an elderly residence in Manhattan, in the worst outbreak of the city in terms of total cases, since a cooling tower in the Bronx was blamed for an infection that caused 16 deaths. In general, between 200 and 700 people are diagnosed each year, according to official health data.
What is legionellosis?
Legionellosis is a type of pneumonia or pulmonary infection, according to the State Health Department (DOH).
Legionellosis can also cause a milder disease called Pontiac fever, which resembles the symptoms of the flu.
How does it spread?
Legionella bacteria spreads when inhaling small drops of contaminated water, commonly present in jacuzzis, industrial air conditioning systems, decorative sources, plumbing systems and even in drinking water.
The outbreaks usually occur in large and complex water systems such as hotels, hospitals and cruises.
The bacteria can also survive and spread on the ground, occasionally causing infections when cultivated in the garden using contaminated land.
However, in most cases, legionellosis or Pontiac fever are not transmitted to other people.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of legionellosis usually appear between two and ten days after exposure to bacteria and may include:
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Difficulty breathing
- Tos
- Fever
The New Jersey Health Department indicated that symptoms can be similar to those of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases such as flu. Only the evidence requested by a doctor can confirm the diagnosis.
Who are more risky?
The people most susceptible to legionellosis are adults over 50, people with weakened immune systems or chronic diseases, and smokers.
It is less frequent than healthy people exposed to legionellosis develop legionellosis.
Do you have treatment?
Antibiotics are used to treat legionary disease, although it usually requires hospitalization.
Any person who suspects having been exposed to legionella or present symptoms of legionella or pneumonia should immediately contact a doctor. It is important to mention any exposure to Legionella, use of jacuzzis, recent trips or hospitalizations in the last two weeks.
For more information about legionary disease, visit the CDC website.
