h. nazan ışık—
4 August 2015—
Mayor Bill de Blasio with City officials provided update on Tuesday on the ongoing outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in the South Bronx: “Since July 10th – these are updated numbers now – since July 10th, we have 86 cases reported – 86 cases reported – and, sadly, seven deaths”
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Mayor held a chart that says, ““South Bronx Legionnaires’ cases” and continued, “The peak of this outbreak was on July 30. And we’re seeing a reduction over the last few days. We don’t have perfect information. And we’re still working on a number of fronts to confirm what we’re seeing. “
Mr. de Blasio reminded that Legionnaires’ disease is not a contagious disease; it cannot be passed from person to person. It is treatable with antibiotics.
And urged all New Yorkers, particularly ones who live in the South Bronx to seek treatment immediately if they have symptoms that might be associated with Legionnaires’ disease.
Health commissioner Bassett said, “The first thing, to be clear, is that Legionnaires’ disease is a common cause of pneumonia. The people with underlying illnesses – including chronic lung disease, which can be asthma, can be emphysema or chronic bronchitis – are people who are more at risk. Symptoms include fever, cough, chills, muscle aches, headaches, short of breath”
The key role of cooling towers in spreading the disease is known now. Five cooling towers have tested positive for legionella in the affected area, and City officials believe the problem comes from one or more of those sites.
Dr. Bassett, “These are central air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems. With systems that are – sit on the rooftops, they do use water as a cooling system and this is a bacteria that is water-related bacteria. And in summer months, when air conditioning is used a lot, the opportunity for cool water to turn into hot water increases, and when – and that creates a potential setting in which this bacteria can flourish”
Rick Chandler, Commissioner of the Department of Buildings, “ I would only add that this type of system – when it’s transferring the heat, the water becomes aerosolized and that’s when it moves away from the building and can be in the air for people to breathe.”
And they added that in the process of cooling the building, it emits warm mist that can have bacteria in it.
Mayor de Blasio said, “And I want to emphasize, we’re talking about cooling towers, which is not the same as water towers – the classic water towers that we see on many New York City buildings.” Added “And there is no risk to our drinking water. There is no risk to our water supply from Legionnaires’ disease.”
According to Bronx Legionnaires’ disease fact sheet provided by Mayor’s Press Office:
-New York City’s drinking water supply and other water features, like fountains, shower heads and pools, are safe throughout New York City and are unaffected by legionella
-Water towers are unaffected by legionella
-Home air conditioner units are unaffected and walking into air conditioned environments is safe, as well.
Mayor de Blasio said. “The incubation period is ten days. The last decontamination was on Monday. So, again, in principle, as long as ten days from – if everything we understand is true – we’ve identified all of the sources. In principle, you still could see new cases as much as ten days from today”
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