New York health officials say that a group of legionaries’ disease in the Harlem center has increased to 99 cases, including four deaths.
Health managers suspect the bacteria that cause disease, Legionella, originally cooling towers – devices that use water to cool large buildings and then disperse the mist in the air. If the water inside becomes too hot, stagnant or is not properly disinfected, Legionella can grow and abuse people who inhale the mist.
On Thursday, the New York Ministry of Health has confirmed positive bacteria tests in 12 cooling laps serving 10 buildings in the region, including NYC Health + Hospitals / Harlem.
The Ministry of Health says that 11 of the 12 towers of cooling have already been repaired and that the final tower should be corrected by Friday.
Health managers have stressed that plumbing systems are separated from cooling tower systems in affected buildings.
“This community epidemic is not linked to the supply of hot or cold water of a building.
The current legionaries cluster was announced for the first time on July 25. Acting health commissioner, Dr. Michelle Morse, said the inspectors worked with building owners to ensure compliance with tests and sanitation.
“The good news is that new cases have started to decline, which indicates that the sources of bacteria have been contained,” said Morse. “New Yorkers who live or work in identified postal codes and have pseudo-scriple symptoms must contact a health care provider as soon as possible for a timely diagnosis and treatment for the best chance of taking a good result.”
Legionaries’ disease causes pseudo-Grippal symptoms, including coughing, fever, headache, muscle pain and shortness of breath. It is treatable with antibiotics, but if it is not treated, it can lead to a shock and a multi-organization failure, according to the World Health Organization. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention American estimate that around 10% of people who contract the disease die from complications, the elderly and people with an immune system weakened at higher risks.
