NYC health officials confirm 84 cases and five deaths linked to a legionnaires’ disease cluster in the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville neighborhoods.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Community Cluster Investigation: The New York City (NYC) Health Department is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville neighborhoods that has resulted in 84 confirmed cases and five deaths.
- Cooling Tower Remediation: Environmental testing of 183 cooling towers revealed 51 units positive for live Legionella bacteria, all of which have since been cleaned and disinfected.
- Clinical Vigilance Required: Healthcare providers should immediately evaluate individuals who live, work, or have visited the affected area since late June and present with respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, or difficulty breathing.
The NYC Health Department is currently investigating a community cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in the Upper East Side neighborhoods of Carnegie Hill and Yorkville, according to a department update. The investigation focuses on residents and visitors within the 10028, 10128, and 10075 ZIP codes.
As of July 22, 84 people have tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease. Data from the NYC Health Department indicates that seven patients are currently hospitalized, 59 have been discharged, 13 were not hospitalized, and five deaths have been confirmed. Officials noted that diagnosis dates are based on the date the positive specimen was collected and that all data remains preliminary.
To identify the source of the outbreak, the department tested 183 cooling towers at 160 buildings for Legionella bacteria. Initial PCR testing showed 77 cooling towers at 75 buildings were positive for the presence of the bacteria. Subsequent culture testing confirmed 51 cooling towers at 50 buildings contained live Legionella bacteria. All culture-positive towers have been cleaned and disinfected, while 19 towers have tested culture negative and remaining results are pending.
The NYC Health Department clarified that Legionnaires’ disease is not caused by a building’s plumbing system. Residents in the affected ZIP codes can safely continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, and use home air conditioning units.
Any New Yorkers who live or work in the area, or individuals who have visited the Upper East Side since late June and are experiencing flu-like symptoms, should contact a healthcare provider immediately, the NYC Health Department said in the update. Symptoms of concern include cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. For those needing assistance finding a provider, the department recommended contacting NYC Healthcare + Hospitals or calling 311.
Photo Credit: CDC 2005 James Gathany. This 2005 photograph revealed numbers of Legionella sp. colonies, which had been cultivated on an unidentified growth medium in a Petri dish agar plate, having undergone an undisclosed incubation time period, and here, illuminated using ultraviolet light.
