3rd death reported in NYC Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem. Here's what to know about the symptoms.
There has been a third death in the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City.
Officials said the number of cases has grown to 67, including those three deaths.
Legionnaires' is a severe form of pneumonia that doesn't spread from person to person, but can be inhaled through mist in the air.
The city's health department is now warning New Yorkers to be on the lookout for any flulike symptoms.
"We are extremely concerned and paying attention and taking action about this cluster of Legionnaires' cases," Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said.
Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem
Officials say 67 people have been diagnosed since July 25, and at least 21 cases were serious enough to lead to hospitalization.
The outbreak is mostly contained to five zip codes across Central Harlem: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039.
If you live in one of the zones and develop flulike symptoms, contact a health care provider immediately, especially if you're at higher risk, including those ages 50 and older and cigarette smokers.
City officials believe the likely source of the Legionella pneumophila bacteria causing the outbreak came from cooling towers in the affected communities. They ordered testing to be done and say the 11 that came back positive have all completed the remediation process.
"We are doing everything we can to urgently both test and clean the cooling towers that we think are the source of this Legionella exposure," Morse said.
Cooling towers are part of large air conditioning systems for apartment complexes and other large buildings.
"They sometimes can have Legionella growing inside of them. There is a special maintenance that each of these facilities uses and does on a regular bases, they prevent the colonization of their water systems with Legionella, but sometimes, even despite the best maintenance, this can still be a problem," said Dr. Aaron Glatt, Chair of Medicine and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital.
"It's not just the cooling towers"
April McIver leads the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, which is backing a City Council bill that would expand Legionella testing.
"It's not just in the cooling towers. It can be throughout the building's potable water system," McIver said. "It can also happen from showerhead and you breathe it in. That's also a possible source.
"There is a current city law that only applies to cooling towers. It does not apply to the rest of the building water management system. It does not apply to potable water at all," she added.
Some New Yorkers say they are worried about potential spread of the disease.
"The superintendent in the building said he said he's gonna check the water every day and he's gonna make sure the air 'cause we got central air. He's gonna make sure that's clean and everything," one person said.
"What they should be doing is putting up flyers," another said.
The city says it has launched an awareness campaign, going door to door in Harlem distributing pamphlets and educating residents, especially those most at risk.
What is Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that can lead to cough, fever, chills and difficulty breathing.
Health officials say the disease can be treated with antibiotics. Again, it is not transmitted person to person, nor can you get it from drinking water. Instead, people get it by breathing in mist or vapor that contains the bacteria, which grows in warm, stagnant water. That mist can then be spread through HVAC systems like cooling towers, shower heads, hot tubs, or faulty plumbing.
Complications are less likely the earlier treatment begins.
The best protection right now is awareness. Know the symptoms, and if you feel sick, get checked out early.
