“The number of deaths in the New York City Legionnaires’ disease outbreak is up to seven”. Authorities say the eight people who died were older adults who had previous medical problems.
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When humans come into contact with water or mist contaminated by the bacteria, Legionnaire’s Disease can be contracted, resulting in a form of pneumonia.
The city has also unveiled new legislation that will force building owners to test cooling towers for the bacteria within the next 14 days.
“So we are fully confident that these cooling towers that have been identified, tested, and remediated were the – were the source of this – of this outbreak”. For now, there is no idea how many towers are present in the city. Those plans are due Friday.
No new deaths have been reported on top of the 10 announced earlier in the week and officials say the outbreak is now on the decline. 5 towers within the South Bronx examined constructive for the micro organism and have since been decontaminated. “People are dying”. Symptoms appear two to 10 days after exposure to Legionella bacteria.
The mayor presented the updated figures at a news conference at Lincoln Hospital, saying that the current situation has likely already reached its peak and that cases will likely decline in the upcoming weeks. Everyone understands that the outbreak has been limited to one community in our city.
Both de Blasio and Bassett stressed last week there was no concern for alarm. About half, 53, have been treated and released. I want to thank the state and the state Department of Health in particular. The vast majority of patients recover from the infection. The disease does not spread from person to person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Anyone in the Bronx with symptoms such as fever, coughing and shortness of breath are advised to seek medical attention immediately.
An outbreak last hit the Bronx in December.
The discovery served as a reminder that infectious diseases were out there and could be deadly.
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The city is working to have all of the remaining buildings in the area inspected and disinfected within the next 24 hours, de Blasio said.
