State deploys teams to Bronx to test for Legionella bacteria

Over the past few weeks, city inspectors have found legionella bacteria in the cooling towers of five building towers-Lincoln Medical Center, Concourse Plaza, Opera House Hotel, a Verizon building and Streamline Plastic Co. “A situation like this involves a great deal of detective work”.

New York City officials announced that the outbreak may have been from the commercial cooling towers on roofs and buildings.

“This is primarily a health crisis and must be handled as such, but at the same time, we must address the needs and fears of our citizens to make sure they understand that the matter is under control”, Cuomo said in a statement.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella, a bacteria which usually thrives in warm water.

According to Mary Bassett, New York City health commissioner, people with underlying conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema are at higher risk of falling victim to the outbreak.

BSIP/UIG via Getty Images Ten people have died of the 101 New Yorkers diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.

“People should not be alarmed at this point”, Glatter said.

“We’re optimistic that we’ve seen the worst of this outbreak and that our remediation efforts are having an impact”, it stated.

“There has been a clear decrease in emergency visits for pneumonia in recent days”, de Blasio said.

Dr. Claressa Lucas of the CDC defended the city’s response.

“I think they have done a very good job in mobilizing their resources and reaching out to their partners for overflow. And that same capacity will now be available going forward with we have any other outbreak”.

That assertion led to yet another chapter in the simmering feud between Cuomo and de Blasio.

Elaine Stacer, 53, contracted the disease before being admitted to University Hospitals, spokeswoman Alicia Reale said. “There is not register of cooling towers”, said Cuomo. However, transmission has occurred up to a mile or two away in several outbreaks, and as far as 7.5 miles away in one outbreak.

Adam Slater, Montgomery’s attorney, said his client could barely walk and was on dialysis.

A spokesman for New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer said his office closely reviews all claims.

With an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease affecting some New York City communities, Jefferson County health officials say they are monitoring the situation and locals need not be concerned. WCBS-TV reports 100 people have been diagnosed with the disease with more than half receiving hospital treatment, then being released.