NEW YORK – The investigation into the community outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem has ended, the New York City Department of Health announced Wednesday.
According to the department’s statement, no new cases of the legionnaires’ disease in the area for four weeks and the cooling towers in the affected areas have been disinfected.
However, the department stressed that while the investigation is over and residents are not at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease, any New Yorker experiencing flu-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
During the outbreak, there were 18 cases of Legionnaires’ disease and all of the people were hospitalized. So far 16 have been discharged and there have been no deaths.
The Public Health Laboratory of the Department of Health analyzed phlegm samples from patients and water samples from the cooling towers located in the research area. Laboratory analysis showed that the bacteria in one of the clinical specimens matched the cooling tower of NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem.
“I am very grateful to the Department of Health staff who identified this outbreak and responded quickly,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “After extensive research, we were able to identify a cooling tower that matched the clinical specimen, and cleaning and disinfection processes were carried out on that tower and other potential sources.”
All managers of the cooling tower buildings located in the investigation area fully cooperated with the Department of Health, and those who tested positive for Legionella completed deep cleaning and disinfection processes as directed.
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