The Harlem neighborhood of New York City is currently experiencing an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, leading to a second reported death and with 58 people having fallen ill. The outbreak, contained primarily within five Central Harlem ZIP codes - 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039 – has prompted the city's health department to urge residents, especially those over the age of 50 and smokers, to be vigilant for flu-like symptoms. CBS News reported that there have been 21 hospitalizations since the outbreak began on July 25.
The disease, traced back to Legionella bacteria often found in building cooling towers, prompts symptoms including cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. According to a statement obtained by Gothamist, acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse stressed that effectively treating Legionnaires’ disease is more likely when it's caught early. Officials have said that the water systems within the affected buildings are not the disease's source and that residents can safely drink tap water and use air conditioning.
In response to the outbreak, city health officials ordered all cooling towers in the area to be screened for Legionella. Chantal Gomez, a spokesperson for the city health department, told Gothamist, 11 buildings have tested positive for the bacteria and have since completed remediation efforts to clean the affected systems. However, the health department has not released the addresses of the buildings in question. Remediation measures are expected to prevent further infections, but there is still an expectation for new cases due to the disease's incubation period.
Legionnaires' disease cannot be transmitted from person to person y, and it is treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed promptly. The recent spate of illnesses marks a notable increase in Legionnaires' cases in the city. Amidst this situation, the total reported cases last year was 257 according to preliminary data shared by the city's health department. Notably, a 2015 outbreak linked to a Bronx cooling tower resulted in 16 deaths, underscoring the potential severity of such outbreaks. The recent deaths and hospitalizations serve as a reminder for residents to seek medical attention if they experience any related symptoms, especially for those at increased risk, as reported by Gothamist.
