A new cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx has sickened five people and resulted in one death, prompting the city Health Department to test cooling towers and conduct outreach to residents in the affected area.
The cluster covers ZIP codes 10451 and 10456, including parts of Melrose and Morrisania. Health officials are investigating potential sources of exposure and have tested cooling towers throughout the two ZIP codes for Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.
Assemblyman Landon Dais, whose district includes the affected communities, urged residents to remain alert while testing continues.
“We saw what happened in Harlem and the Upper East Side and we know that being proactive is the best way to stop further spread of legionnaires. We appreciate that the city tested all cooling towers in the two affected zip codes and is doing community outreach in French and other languages spoken in our district. I am asking residents to monitor themselves for flu-like symptoms until those results come back. My office will continue to work with DOHMH to keep our community safe.”
The Bronx cluster is the latest in a series of Legionnaires’ disease investigations in New York City this year. Health officials have emphasized that Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person to person. People typically become infected by breathing in contaminated water droplets or mist.
Symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, headache and difficulty breathing. The illness can develop into a serious form of pneumonia, particularly among older adults, smokers and people with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems.
City officials are urging anyone who lives, works or has recently visited the affected area to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms. Residents should tell their healthcare provider about their possible exposure so testing and treatment can begin promptly if necessary.
The Health Department said cooling towers that test positive for Legionella will undergo cleaning and disinfection.
For more metro, national, and international news stories, visit newyorkvoicenews.com.
Add as preferred source on Google
