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A Legionella outbreak in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan has already left 59 people affected, reported the New York City Department of Health on Monday, noting that 15 patients remain hospitalized and that so far no deaths have been recorded.
Legionellosis, a lung infection caused by the Legionella bacteria, was detected in several cooling towers of buildings in the area, according to health authorities.
According to a statement from the department, there are currently 15 people hospitalized and 33 have already been discharged. Eleven tested positive, but were not admitted to any hospital. For now, there are no deaths.
Authorities indicated that the cooling towers of several buildings on the Upper East Side tested positive in PCR tests that detect the presence of genetic material of the Legionella bacteria, both live and dead.
"The owners of all towers with initial positive results must immediately empty, clean, and disinfect their cooling towers to reduce the risk of further exposure," it highlighted.
In addition to the PCR tests, culture tests are also being carried out on all the towers from which samples have been taken, but these results will take up to two weeks to obtain.
In the statement, the department emphasized that the bacteria is not found in the plumbing system of any building: "Residents can continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, and use air conditioning in their homes," it explained.
According to the agency, most people exposed to Legionella do not develop the disease, which usually appears after high or repeated contact and especially in at-risk people such as those over 50, smokers, or patients with heart disease.
Legionellosis causes symptoms similar to the flu and is not contagious, nor is it contracted by drinking water, cooking, or using air conditioning, the department pointed out.
[Publicidad]