An outbreak of Legionnaires’ illness in New York Metropolis has killed two individuals and sickened 58 since late July.
Metropolis well being officers hyperlink the Central Harlem outbreak to cooling towers, buildings containing water and a fan which can be used to chill buildings. They stated 11 of those towers initially examined optimistic for a sort of micro organism that causes Legionnaires’ illness, however the issue has been remedied.
They urged individuals within the space with flu-like signs to contact a well being care supplier as quickly as doable, particularly if they’re 50 or older, smoke or have persistent lung circumstances.
Right here’s what to know.
What’s Legionnaires’ illness?
It’s a sort of pneumonia brought on by Legionella micro organism, which develop in heat water and unfold in constructing water techniques. They are often present in locations reminiscent of showerheads, scorching tubs and cooling towers.
Individuals typically get the illness by inhaling aerosols from contaminated water. Hospital sufferers can even contract it via contaminated water or ice, and infants may be uncovered throughout water births, well being officers stated. Individuals do not get it from one another.
Signs normally develop two days to 2 weeks after publicity and embody cough, fever, complications, muscle aches and shortness of breath, in response to the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
How does Legionnaires’ illness damage you and how will you deal with it?
It’s vital to be identified rapidly and handled with the suitable antibiotics, well being officers stated.
If untreated, the illness normally worsens throughout the first week, the World Well being Group stated. Issues can embody respiratory failure, shock and kidney or multi-organ failure.
How can Legionnaires’ illness be prevented?
Individuals chargeable for the protection of buildings and water techniques can cut back the risk by taking steps to reduce the expansion of the micro organism, the WHO stated. For instance, they need to recurrently clear and disinfect cooling towers, preserve an ample degree of chlorine in spa swimming pools and flush unused faucets in buildings weekly.
There are additionally steps individuals can take to cut back the chance of Legionnaires’ illness at residence. New York state well being officers counsel draining backyard hoses; following producers’ directions for cleansing and changing water filters; checking chlorine ranges in swimming pools and scorching tubs recurrently and flushing scorching water heaters twice a 12 months.
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The Related Press Well being and Science Division receives assist from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Division of Science Schooling and the Robert Wooden Johnson Basis. The AP is solely chargeable for all content material.
