A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the Harlem area of New York City has claimed three lives and sickened at least 67 people. The cluster of cases is centered in five ZIP codes and officials say it’s not expected to spread to other communities.
The outbreak began last week when one person died and 22 others were diagnosed with the disease. Health officials have since confirmed that three more people have died, bringing the total number of fatalities to three.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella, which grows in warm water. People can get infected by breathing in water vapor that contains the bacteria. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing.
The New York City Health Department has stated that there is no issue with any building’s plumbing system, and residents in affected ZIP codes can continue to use their water, bathe, shower, cook, and air conditioners without interruption.
The outbreak is linked to Legionella pneumophila, a type of bacteria found in cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, and evaporative condensers. However, the disease does not spread from person to person and can be treated with antibiotics.
No further details about the three people who died have been released by officials.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/2-dead-58-sick-growing-legionnaires-disease-cluster/story?id=124367595