Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline closed its North Carolina manufacturing site after it tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease, a fatal form of pneumonia, in their Zebulon site.
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But because the legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease, is in the natural environment and the city already sees 200 to 300 cases per year, it is unlikely that cases will fall to zero, said Bassett.
“As the city works to ensure that everyone who is suffering from Legionnaires’ disease is getting proper treatment, we must also look to the source of the problem”, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said. However, they did not confirm whether any worker at the plant was exposed to the bacteria.
“We need all hands on deck, and getting help from the CDC is a huge step in combating this disease that is hurting the south Bronx”, said Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.
Whalen was asked by the governor to go to New York City to meet with the state health commissioner and other officials to address the outbreak and figure out what can be done on a statewide level. They said at the meeting Monday that all five of the towers have been decontaminated.
“Five out of 17 is a little too much”, the Bronx resident said, referring to the contaminated towers. Two months later, two others became sick. According to the officials at the London-based company, the cooling towers will be cleaned and sanitised before the workers are allowed to come in contact with the self-standing tower again. There will also be a method established for testing water for health threats.
“To ensure the safety of our patients and staff, we have a program in place that includes inspection of our cooling system and Legionella has not been identified”, the hospital said in a statement.
At his, Cuomo said that state teams – who have been inspecting cooling towers in the Bronx the last three days – had discovered the legionella bacteria in three buildings.
As de Blasio spoke at the afternoon news conference, New Yorkers saw a split-screen image on their TVs that likely did not inspire much faith in the level of coordination between the city and state governments.
Overall, illnesses from Legionnaires’ are still more commonly linked to outdoor cooling towers and decorative fountains that can spread water vapour over wider areas.
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The Health Department found that a cooling tower in Flushing had Legionella, the spokeswoman said.
