2 dead after Legionnaires’ disease outbreak hits New York City

This outbreak has led to two deaths, and has prompted the department to try and investigate the area as best they can.

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office reported Wednesday that an outbreak of an infectious disease called the Legionnaires’ disease affected dozens of people and killed two in the South Bronx.

There have been 46 reported cases of the respiratory disease in the South Bronx since July 10, officials said. Fever, chills and cough are the symptoms exhibited by the sufferers.

Generally, 5 to 10 percent of Legionnaire’s cases are fatal, city health officials said.

The outbreak quickly made front page news amid fears of an epidemic.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the bacteria Legionella and is characterized by headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, headache and confusion. The city also believes it has been spread through water mist rather than drinking water. “I didn’t really think it was that serious because usually when things come out like that, they always have it under control one way or another”.

There is an estimated 8000 to 18000 cases of hospitalization that occur every year in the United States because of the dreaded Legionnaires disease.

What is the treatment for Legionnaires’ disease?

It takes as short as 2 days for the first symptoms to appear.

A bacterial infection that primarily attacks the lungs has broken out in New York. Although this type of bacterium was around before 1976, more illness from Legionnaires’ disease is being detected now, said the CDC website. Since the bacteria exist naturally in the environment, people often receive low-level exposure without contracting the disease.

According to Pix 11, the bacteria infects people through water and plumbing systems, such as cooling towers, large air-conditioning units and hot water tanks.

Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. said Thursday he was in constant contact with Department of Health officials throughout the day to stay abreast of developments, and he assured he would keep the public notified of any new information. These include whirlpool spas, humidifiers, hot tubs, condensers and more.

The Mayo Clinic reports that smoking may actually increase your risk of developing Legionnaires’ if you’re exposed to the bacteria.

Sources of contamination have been identified in cooling towers at Concourse Plaza – a commercial complex with a shopping mall and a multiplex theater – and city-owned Lincoln Medical Center, de Blasio said.