NEW YORK — The Health Department is currently investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx.
Legionnaires’ disease (or Legionellosis) is a type of pneumonia. It is caused by a type of bacteria (Legionella) that grows in warm water.
The Health Department is actively investigating and is testing water from cooling towers and other potential sources in the area to determine the source of the outbreak.
From NBC-NY: Forty-six cases of the disease, a severe, often lethal, form of pneumonia spread through the air, have been reported in the south Bronx since July 10, city officials said Thursday. Two of the 46 patients, a man and a woman in their 50s, have died from the illness; authorities say they had other lung problems as well as Legionnaires’. Their identities have not been released.
Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person to person. People only get sick by breathing in water vapor containing the bacteria (for example, by inhaling contaminated mist from faucets, showers, whirlpools or cooling towers). People who are sick cannot make others sick.
If you live in the area and experience respiratory symptoms, such as fever, cough, chills and muscle aches, seek medical attention right away.
