An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City has killed three people and sickened 70 since it was first detected in late July.
City health officials link the Harlem outbreak to cooling towers, structures containing water and a fan that are used to cool buildings. All cooling towers operating in the impacted area have been sampled, and the Health Department has told owners of buildings where positive results were found to initiate remediation within a day.
They urged people in the area with flu-like symptoms to contact a health care provider as soon as possible, especially if they are 50 or older, smoke or have chronic lung conditions.
Here’s what to know.
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
It’s a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grow in warm water and spread in building water systems. They can be found in places such as showerheads, hot tubs and cooling towers.
How is Legionnaires’ disease spread?
People often get the disease by inhaling aerosols from contaminated water. Hospital patients can also contract it through contaminated water or ice, and babies can be exposed during water births, health officials said.
The bacteria can also survive and spread in soil, occasionally causing infections when people garden using contaminated soil.
People do not transmit Legionnaires’ disease to each others.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms usually develop two days to two weeks after exposure and include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches and shortness of breath, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How can you treat Legionnaires’ disease?
It’s important to be diagnosed quickly and treated with the appropriate antibiotics, health officials said.
Anyone suspecting exposure to Legionella or experiencing symptoms of Legionella disease or pneumonia should promptly contact a doctor. It’s important to mention any exposure to Legionella, hot tub use, recent travels, or hospital stays in the past two weeks.
If untreated, the disease usually worsens during the first week, the World Health Organization said. Complications can include respiratory failure, shock and kidney or multi-organ failure.
Who is at higher risk?
Those most susceptible to Legionnaires’ disease include adults over 50, individuals with weakened immune systems, and smokers.
How can Legionnaires’ disease be prevented?
People responsible for the safety of buildings and water systems can reduce the threat by taking steps to minimize the growth of the bacteria, the WHO said. For example, they should regularly clean and disinfect cooling towers, maintain an adequate level of chlorine in spa pools and flush unused taps in buildings weekly.
There are also steps people can take to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease at home. New York state health officials suggest draining garden hoses; following manufacturers’ instructions for cleaning and replacing water filters; checking chlorine levels in pools and hot tubs regularly and flushing hot water heaters twice a year.