New York City health officials said Friday that the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the Bronx that has killed two people and hospitalized more than two dozen is over.
This is because no new cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been identified in the population of the affected area with symptom onset in the past four weeks. Officials have found a total of 30 cases of Legionnaires’ disease, of which 28 were hospitalized and two New Yorkers died. Four people remain in hospital as of Friday.
“We have closed investigations into the Legionnaires’ disease cluster in the Highbridge borough of the Bronx. While residents are not at increased risk, any New Yorker with flu-like symptoms should seek care,” the Department of Health said. New York City Health.
Legionnaires’ cases have been linked to a cluster affecting two postal codes in the neighborhood of Highbridge and surrounding county communities: the postal codes were 10452 and 10456.
The two people who died were in their 50s and had health risk factors for a serious illness, according to health officials.
Health Commissioner Dr Ashwin Vasan said: “Thank you to the dozens of elected officials and community leaders who worked with the department to educate the residents of the area on proper precautions.” “The department’s investigation was able to identify the cooling tower genetically identical to the patient samples, and the cooling tower was directed to take additional cleaning and disinfection measures.”
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which according to the Department of Health grows in warm water. Infection occurs as a result of inhaling water vapor that contains these bacteria.
Symptoms are described as flu-like, and include cough, fever, and shortness of breath. The health department said any city resident experiencing these symptoms should contact a doctor immediately.
The department said Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious 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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