New York City is experiencing its second Legionnaires’ outbreak in three years. This most recent outbreak is located in Central Harlem, where, according to the New York City Health Department, 67 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease and three people have died.
Legionnaires’ disease is spread by aerosolized water droplets with the bacteria present and is considered a severe form of pneumonia. On average, it takes 2-14 days for symptoms to appear after inhalation. Symptoms range from headache, muscle aches, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and diarrhea.
The Legionnaires’ outbreak is contained to a few ZIP codes within Harlem, with city officials linking the cases to cooling towers in the area after an initial investigation. After detecting Legionella pneumophila in eleven cooling towers, they were disinfected, with city health officials saying it is safe to bathe and drink the water.
As with most diseases, people with weakened immune systems or aged over 50 should be cautious and vigilant, with health officials urging those at a higher risk to seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.
