The Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the Bronx that has claimed two lives and hospitalized more than two dozen has come to an end, New York City health officials said Friday.
This is because no new cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been identified in residents of the affected area with onset of symptoms in the last four weeks. Officials found a total of 30 cases of Legionnaires’ disease, of which 28 people were hospitalized and two New Yorkers died. Four people remained hospitalized as of Friday.
“We have closed the investigation into Legionnaires’ disease cluster in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. While residents are not at increased risk, any New Yorker experiencing flu-like symptoms should seek care,” the Department of Health said. New York City Health.
The Legionnaires’ cases had been linked to a cluster affecting two zip codes in the Highbridge neighborhood and surrounding county communities: the zip codes were 10452 and 10456.
The two people who died were in their 50s and had health risk factors for serious illness, according to health officials.
“Thank you to the dozens of elected officials and community leaders who worked with the department to educate area residents on proper precautions,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “The department’s investigation was able to identify a cooling tower that had a genetic match to patient samples, and the cooling tower was directed to take additional cleaning and disinfection measures.”
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella, which according to the Department of Health grows in warm water. Infections occur as a result of breathing water vapor that contains these bacteria.
Symptoms are described as flu-like, and include cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Any city resident experiencing those symptoms should contact a doctor immediately, the Health Department said.
Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious, the department said, and can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
An average of 200 to 500 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported in the city each year.
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