Ten dead in New York Legionnaire’s disease outbreak

An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City is causing alarm all across the country, but doctors in Kansas City say while some in the metro have contracted the disease, there is no reason to worry.

Prior to that, the city had sent out notices to building owners ordering them to test and disinfect their cooling towers within two weeks.

The mayor said the order was being issued by Dr. Mary T. Bassett, the city’s health commissioner.

Governor Cuomo has also addressed the outbreak, offering free bacteria testing for buildings with cooling towers courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. S. are hospitalized with Legionnaires’, the data includes the unreported cases as well.

“We are aware of it and we’re keeping an eye on it, but it is not a concern for this area at this time”, he said.

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

In addition, Dr. Claressa Lucas-of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease-comments, “This is a very underreported disease nationwide”.

The 10 people who lost their lives due to the disease were already susceptible due to old age and pre-existing health conditions. “This expanded testing will also provide the state valuable data as to the amount of legionella in systems across the state and any potential dangers in surrounding neighborhoods in the Bronx or other parts of the state”. Commonly, patients are exposed to it by inhaling contaminated aerosols from cooling towers, showers, hot tubs, drinking water, etc.

Richard Harbus/for New York Daily News This water tower at the Verizon building on East 167 St.in the South Bronx tested positive for the bacteria.

A University Hospitals spokesperson said the 53-year-old woman died Thursday morning after being diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.

On average, there are about 540 cases of Legionnaires’ disease a year in New York state. The Daily News slammed him on its front page this week, saying the city had taken too long to target the cooling towers-which have never been required to undergo testing or be reported to the city-and urging the mayor to “get a grip”.

The cases have been reported primarily in High Bridge, Morrisania, Hunts Point and Mott Haven since July 10, the Health Department said.