New York Health Officials Investigate Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease
Health officials in New York have issued a warning following the outbreak of a severe lung disease in parts of the city. The New York City Health Department is currently investigating a cluster of five cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem. These cases are located in neighborhoods with ZIP codes 10027, 10030, 10035, and 10037.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation. Complications from the disease can be fatal. It is caused by a bacterium known as Legionella, which is primarily spread through the inhalation of contaminated water droplets or aerosols. These droplets can come from various sources such as cooling towers, hot tubs, showers, and decorative fountains.
To date, there have been no deaths associated with the cluster of patients reported in New York. However, the source of the infections remains unknown, and the Health Department is actively investigating these cases. They are sampling and testing water from all cooling tower systems in the area.
Dr. Toni Eyssallenne, deputy chief medical officer, advised, “Any New Yorkers with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible.” She added, “Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early. New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older, those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions, should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been increasing since the early 2000s, with a peak in 2018. Although reported cases dropped during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, they rebounded in 2021. From 2015 to 2020, the bacteria Legionella caused 184 disease outbreaks in the US, resulting in 786 illnesses, 544 hospitalizations, and 86 deaths. About one in 10 people who become sick will die.
The odds of death are higher when the disease is contracted in a hospital setting, with at least one in four dying. Early symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include fever, loss of appetite, headache, lethargy, muscle pain, and diarrhea. The severity can range from a mild cough to fatal pneumonia, and treating infection early with antibiotics is key for survival.
Understanding Legionella Bacteria
Legionella can colonize and grow within complex communities of microorganisms called biofilms that form on surfaces within water systems. Once there, the bacteria seep into the water and become aerosolized. Plumbing systems, especially those associated with warm water, such as hot water tanks and distribution pipes, can also serve as reservoirs for Legionella bacteria to multiply.
Stagnant or low-flow areas in pipes foster Legionella growth. The bacteria can multiply significantly in the hot water systems of large buildings like hospitals due to several factors, such as water temperatures below 50 degrees Celsius, areas where water doesn’t flow well and collects, the presence of amoebas and other bacteria, and the materials used in the pipes.
Earlier this year, one person died and several were hospitalized due to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at a senior living facility in Vermont. It originated from the care home’s water system. Another recent victim was 71-year-old Barbara Kruschwitz from Massachusetts, who died of the disease in 2023 one week after staying at a resort in New Hampshire. Her husband said she had gone swimming in the hotel’s pool and hot tub before her condition deteriorated rapidly.
Preventing Legionnaires’ Disease
Water treatment plants typically use a disinfectant such as chlorine to clean out the potable water system. The most reliable way to determine if your water is contaminated with Legionella is to have it tested by a qualified laboratory. Home testing kits are also available, which involve collecting water samples and sending them to a lab for analysis.
What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation. It is caused by a bacterium known as Legionella. Around 500 people in the UK and 6,100 in the US suffer from it every year. The condition can cause life-threatening complications, including respiratory failure, kidney failure, and septic shock, which occurs when blood flow to the vital organs is blocked.
Most sufferers become ill by inhaling tiny water droplets from infected sources, such as shower heads, hot tubs, swimming pools, or ventilation systems in buildings. Anyone can become infected, but at-risk groups include the elderly, smokers, and those with suppressed immune systems, such as chemotherapy patients.
Symptoms usually develop between two and 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. Early signs include:
- Headache
- Muscle Pain
- Fever and chills
People may then experience:
- Cough, which may bring up blood
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Confusion
Treatment involves antibiotics, usually in hospital, as soon as possible. Prevention involves meticulous cleaning and disinfection of water systems. People can reduce their risk by not smoking, as this damages the lungs and makes individuals more susceptible.