Legionnaires’ disease outbreak kills one and infects others in the South Bronx
The disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can grow in warm water and spread through mist produced by cooling towers One person has died from legionnaires’ disease, and four more have been sickened in New York City amid a new cluster of cases only weeks after local health officials had declared a separate deadly Manhattan outbreak of the illness over. On Thursday, New…
A new cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases has emerged in the South Bronx of New York City, resulting in one death and four additional infections, reported Thursday. Health officials launched an investigation into the community cluster in Melrose and Morrisania, encompassing ZIP codes 10451 and 10456. Samples of cooling towers in the area have been collected and tested at the city's public health laboratory.
The department has issued a health alert to healthcare providers to consider Legionnaires' disease when evaluating patients with similar symptoms. One person has died, and authorities are urging anyone who has visited the affected area since late August and is experiencing flu-like symptoms to seek medical attention promptly. Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrive in warm water, particularly in man-made building water systems such as showerheads, sink faucets, hot tubs, and large plumbing systems, as well as cooling towers.
The bacteria can be inhaled through contaminated water droplets or mist. While it is not contagious, early treatment with antibiotics is crucial for recovery. The South Bronx outbreak marks the second community cluster identified in New York City this year, following a previous cluster in Manhattan's Upper East Side in July.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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