New York City health officials are raising the alarm after at least five cases of Legionnaires’ disease were confirmed in Central Harlem.
The NYC Department of Health confirmed the cases are part of a “community cluster” spanning ZIP codes 10027, 10030, 10035, and 10037, per the Daily Mail.
While no deaths have been reported so far, the situation is being taken seriously, as investigators test and sample cooling tower systems in the area to locate the source of the potentially deadly bacteria.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium, which thrives in warm water and can be spread through inhaling contaminated water droplets or aerosols.
These droplets often come from hot tubs, showers, cooling towers, decorative fountains, and even plumbing systems in large buildings.
“Any New Yorkers with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible,” said Dr. Toni Eyssallenne, deputy chief medical officer. “Legionnaires' disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early.”
Dr. Eyssallenne added that certain people are more vulnerable, urging caution among “adults aged 50 and older, those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions.”
She emphasized that such individuals “should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin.”
Symptoms to watch out for include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and coughing.
The severity of illness can range from a mild respiratory infection to life-threatening pneumonia.
Health officials stress that Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
While this latest Harlem cluster has not resulted in any fatalities, past outbreaks have had deadly consequences.
In 2022, five people died from the disease during a summer outbreak at a Manhattan nursing home. The city’s worst outbreak on record was in the Bronx, where a cooling tower was linked to 16 deaths, per NBC New York.
Nationwide data shows Legionnaires’ disease has been on the rise since the early 2000s. According to the CDC, between 2015 and 2020, Legionella bacteria caused 184 outbreaks, resulting in 786 illnesses, 544 hospitalizations, and 86 deaths.
One in ten people infected die, and the mortality rate rises to one in four when the disease is contracted in hospital settings.
The Legionella bacterium tends to grow in biofilms - slimy layers of microorganisms that form on surfaces inside water systems.
These biofilms often develop in warm or stagnant water, especially in complex plumbing systems like those found in hospitals, care facilities, and large buildings.
Water temperatures under 50 degrees Celsius, poor water flow, and certain piping materials can all contribute to the growth and spread of the bacteria.
To reduce the risk of exposure, water treatment plants typically use chlorine or other disinfectants to clean potable water. However, home and building owners can also take proactive measures.
The most reliable way to check for contamination is through lab testing. Home testing kits are available that allow users to collect water samples and send them to certified labs for analysis.