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Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York city leaves 7 dead

Xinhua, August 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City has led to 86 people infected and 7 deaths, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced here Tuesday.

The mayor presented the updated figures at a news conference at Lincoln Hospital, saying that the current situation has likely already reached its peak and that cases will likely decline in the upcoming weeks.

"We will continue to be vigilant on all fronts, ensuring the health and safety of New Yorkers by both addressing Legionnaires' at its source, and ensuring affected New Yorkers who need it are getting proper treatment," said Mayor de Blasio.

Health officials stressed that Legionnaires' disease is not contagious, which cannot be spread from person to person, and it is treatable with antibiotics. The vast majority of patients recover from the infection.

Health officials also say the seven people who died were all older adults with underlying medical issues.

"This is a very treatable disease and we urge anyone who might be experiencing symptoms of Legionnaires' disease to seek medical attention immediately," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett.

"Additionally, the New York City water supply does not pose a risk, so people should continue to feel confident in drinking tap water to stay cool during this period of hot weather," she added.

Legionnaires' disease (or Legionellosis) is a common type of pneumonia caused by a bacterium called Legionella, which is spread through water droplets that are inhaled. Symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

City health officials said of the 22 buildings tested in the outbreak area, five cooling towers in the South Bronx have tested positive for legionella bacteria.

Health Department said Tuesday that it is testing 10 additional sites surrounding the affected area and it is also interviewing patients and reviewing records to determine whether cases share a common exposure.

There were 301 cases reported in 2013 and 225 in 2014 in the city and generally, 5 to 10 percent of cases are fatal, said a press release sent from the Mayor's office. Endite