Cooling towers are the focus of an investigation into a Legionnaires’ outbreak in New York City this summer that is one of the largest in U.S. history.
Advertisement
Officials said the samples are contained, and there should be no concern over the testing. “We anticipate resuming production in the next 72 hours after cleaning, disinfecting, and returning the plant back to normal operating conditions”. Over the same period, five people died in outbreaks tied to cooling towers and outdoor fountains.
The type of pneumonia from the legionella bacteria is not contagious, and is contracted through the inhalation of contaminated water vapor. “We want to know if it’s all cleaned up”, she said.
Those that have died from the disease, which is treatable with antibiotics and has a 5 to 10 percent fatality rate, had underlying health issues.
While the media has focused most of their attention on this historic outbreak in the South Bronx, there have been others in New York and across the nation who have also been infected with Legionella in recent times.
A 2014 study published on the state’s Health Department website said Bronx County was the unhealthiest in the state, “burdened by a myriad of health challenges and socioeconomic circumstances that foster poor health outcomes”. “Due to the extreme risk posed to the sick by Legionella bacteria, hospitals should be required to check their water systems frequently so we can prevent future outbreaks”.
Glaxo officials emphasized that there is no evidence that the bacteria infiltrated any medications and that the cooling tower “does not come into contact with product manufactured at the facility”.
In 2011, six people became ill after staying at an Albany-area motel.
The city and state health commissioners put out a joint statement later Monday saying that three additional sites tested positive over the weekend for the bacteria, bringing the total to 18.
Governor Andrew Cuomo and the legislature are working on new laws and regulations governing cooling towers in New York buildings.
And as a suggestion, GSK should develop vaccines for Legionnaires’ disease in their next project because of this accident.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, around 8,000 to 18,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease annually, but only 3,00 is being reported to the CDC.
Advertisement
Mark-Viverito notes, “The New York City Council is proud to serve as a model for the rest of New York state as we work together to create new regulations for cooling towers to fight Legionnaires’ Disease“. It can cause coughing, wheezing and breathing problems, but it is not spread from person to person.
