The city Department of Health on Monday confirmed they are investigating seven new cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Morris Park section of the Bronx.
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The summer outbreak began after the disease bacteria spread from cooling towers, but officials don’t know what caused these recent cases.
Building owners were required to register their cooling towers with the city in accordance with recently passed legislation responding to this summer’s outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx, and this information was extremely helpful when figuring out which buildings to test in Morris Park, according to Varma.
The patients who live or work in the neighborhood range between the ages of 45 and 75 and are now hospitalized.
Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said the city was working to determine the source of the outbreak and taking immediate steps to protect the people who live and work in the area.
“I urge all New Yorkers to seek care immediately if they have flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, headache, or difficulty breathing”.
Officials said the first case of the new cluster was reported on September 21.
Since Saturday, environmental scientists visited all cooling towers and took samples.
It was the largest Legionnaires’ outbreak in NYC history.
In addition to the elderly, people with chronic lung disease and weakened immune systems are also often at risk for the disease, which is spread through bacteria.
Legionella live in watery environments, such as cooling towers and air-conditioning systems, and symptoms can show from two to 10 days after a person is exposed to the bacteria. The regulations specify penalties for violations, and the legislation makes New York City the first major city in the United States to regulate cooling towers.
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More info on Legionnaires’ disease is available on the DOHMH website. Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
