New York City officials have completed the remediation of 11 cooling towers linked to a recent Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem, bringing the total number of affected towers down to one. The final cooling tower was remediated on Friday, marking a significant step towards containing the source of the outbreak.
The city health department has confirmed that all 12 cooling towers in Central Harlem that tested positive for live Legionella bacteria have been drained, cleaned, and disinfected. Officials say the number of new cases being reported is starting to decline, suggesting that the bacteria’s source has been identified.
Harlem Hospital, one of the locations linked to the outbreak, has revealed that it is taking steps to address concerns about the hospital’s ability to handle Legionella-positive patients. The hospital’s patient intake process has been criticized by some families affected by the outbreak, who claim that the hospital is not doing enough to prevent further spread.
City officials have identified 101 cases and four deaths linked to the outbreak, with 15 people still hospitalized. Health officials say that Legionnaires’ disease can be contracted through breathing in water vapor containing Legionella bacteria, which thrives in warm water.
As the city works to confirm the specific cooling tower responsible for the current outbreak, residents are breathing a sigh of relief. The outbreak has raised concerns about the maintenance and upkeep of public buildings, particularly those with complex systems like cooling towers.
Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/nyc-legionnaires-outbreak-final-cooling-tower-harlem-cluster-remediated-4th-death/17543725