A Legionnaire’s disease outbreak in Harlem has killed two New Yorkers and sickened 58 others — more than doubling case counts from just days ago, city health officials said in an alarming update Monday.
The cluster of pneumonia-like illness, initially detected on July 25, has been identified in several zip codes across Harlem, the New York City Department of Health said Monday
The disease was reported to have sickened 22 people on Wednesday, the DOH said in a previous update.
An additional person also died from Legionnaires’ since last week, though details of their identity were not released, officials said
The department has also completed the remediation of 11 cooling towers found with Legionella pneumophila, a type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, the DOH said.
City officials urged Central Harlem residents and workers to be on the lookout for troubling flu-like symptoms such as coughing, fever, chills, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing.
High-risk individuals — including those ages 50 and older, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems — should take special care to see a health care provider immediately if symptoms are detected.
“Anyone in these zip codes with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse.
“Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early, but New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older and those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions, should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin,” Dr. Morse said.
Though potentially deadly if not treated in time, Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and can be treated with antibiotics, the department said.
The disease is typically transferred through water supplies contaminated with Legionella bacteria that can appear in plumbing systems and find favorable conditions in cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, and condensers in large air conditioning systems.
The areas where cases have been confirmed are in five Harlem zip codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039, along with the bordering communities, the Health Department said.
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