“People have asked “Why the south Bronx?'” said Bassett”.
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The number of reported cases, however, continues to increase, although the administration said the outbreak peaked on July 30.
The South Bronx is dealing with an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease, with at least 86 known cases and seven deaths.
You probably don’t think about cooling towers often (if ever), and there are many different types-but majority deal with a building’s air conditioning or water system.
“The review of outbreak management and the subsequent public health research has provided valuable in enhancing the existing knowledge on Legionella outbreaks and control”.
So far, out of the 17 cooling towers inspected by the NYC health department for the bacteria, five have been tested positive. The outbreak was so fast that people were dying before officials knew there was an problem.
Dr. Robert Glatter of Lenox Hill Hospital said the main issue is the incubation period, which is very long – up to about two weeks.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, and neighborhood residents should seek treatment if they observe them. People with Legionnaires’ also experience appetite loss, confusion, fatigue and muscle aches. The legionnaires’ disease has been steadily affecting people since 2002, mostly the poorer lot.
De Blasio is confident that the city has been able to identify all the infected sites already but acknowledged that New York doesn’t have a complete registry of all its cooling towers, a misstep that will be corrected in the new legislation. Some individuals – such as those who are over 50 years old, have chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems – are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill when infected.
The outbreak had a “considerable impact” on NHS services during June 2012, with more than 1,000 patients investigated and treated in primary care.
However, as a result of the investigation the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) submitted a number of reports to the Crown Office for breaches of health and safety regulations unrelated to the deaths of the four people.
The Health Department urges anyone with symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
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The last Legionnaires’ outbreak was in December 2014. Between then and January, 12 people in Co-op City contracted the potentially deadly disease.
