New York Legionnaires’ disease death toll rises to 10

James Keivom/New York Daily News State officials will help test cooling towers in the South Bronx this weekend after five tested positive for Legionella bacteria, which causes the sometimes deadly Legionnaires’ disease. 10 have succumbed to the pneumonia-like disease-health officials say the majority of the victims were “elderly or already suffering from underlying medical problems”. It is usually spread through mist that comes from a water source, such as cooling towers, air conditioning or showers. The New York Daily News reported Friday that Marvin Montgomery’s attorney said he’s planning to file a lawsuit against the city Friday, and that in addition to being compensated for his injuries he wants to prevent future outbreaks.

In 1976 more than 2,000 members of the American Legion attended a convention at Philadelphia’s Bellevue Stratford Hotel.

Through the month of October, building managers and building landlords will be provided with the free Legionella examination by the state Department of Health, said Governor Andrew Cuomo, who also asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to set an advisory team for New York.

The City Council and mayor were working on legislation to deal with Legionnaire’s disease as the number of people with the condition rose to 86 on Tuesday, according to news reports. S. are hospitalized with Legionnaires’, the data includes the unreported cases as well.

“We’re optimistic that we’ve seen the worst of this outbreak”, Dr. Mary Bassett, the city’s health commissioner, said in a written statement.

The outbreak of the disease began in the South Bronx due to what is believed to be five contaminated water cooling towers. Other conditions common to people infected lung disease, diabetes and chronic use of alcohol or cigarettes.

According to the Times, the study not only “documented the rapid increase in cases of the disease”, but also “pointed to cooling towers as a risk factor in outbreaks”.

While the city has moved to regulate many other overlooked aspects of its infrastructure over the past few years, cooling towers are one of the final unregulated systems that have escaped attention. Those people are more susceptible to the illness. Mortality from Legionellosis is estimated to be 5-30 percent. If caught early, it can be treated with antibiotics.

The city’s health department advises people who live and work in the area to take quick action if they develop symptoms such as fever, cough, chills and muscle aches.