An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City is causing alarm all across the country, but doctors in Kansas City say while some in the metro have contracted the disease, there is no reason to worry.
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The seven people who died were all older adults with underlying medical problems.
There were five cooling towers found positive for Legionella, out of the 17, but remediation was completed in each of the locations.
“The order instructs the owners or managers to test and disinfect their cooling tower within the next 14 days”, Mayor Bill de Blasio, told CBS NewYork. The disease has taken place due to inhaling mist contaminated with certain bacteria.
On average, there are about 540 cases of Legionnaires’ disease a year in New York state.
An outbreak of the disease in Philadelphia in 1976, largely among people attending a convention of the American Legion, led to its name. “However, when it is able to set up shop in cooling towers where the water is warm, it can reproduce quickly and spread”, he said. His attorney says he got sick after washing his face in a public restroom at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx. This includes more than 1,000 buildings that officials suspect may have cooling towers.
CBS New York reports state officials have pledged additional resources to help fight the disease. Most people get exposed to the bacteria through cooling towers, hot water tanks, and water in hot tubs, plumbing systems and fountains. The number of cases reported to the CDC each year has been rising, roughly doubling between 2000 and 2009.
“This is primarily a health crisis and must be handled as such, but at the same time, we must address the needs and fears of our citizens to make sure they understand that the matter is under control”, Cuomo said in a statement. Cooling towers have been around for decades. “It can not be passed from person to person”, de Blasio said.
“I urge anyone with symptoms to seek medical attention right away”, Dr. Mary Bassett, commissioner of New York City’s health department, said last month.
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Cuomo additionally spoke with Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, and confirmed that the federal company would ship a staff to New York Metropolis on Friday to satisfy with state and metropolis officers relating to the sickness.
