Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in Harlem: What You Need to Know

The outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in Harlem-certain deaths, certain cases associated with Legionella in cooling towers. Get informed about the symptoms, the people at risk, and how NYC is dealing with the problem in order to save the community.

A Community Facing a Legionnaires’ Disease

Harlem is in troubling times. During the last several weeks, Legionnaires disease as a severe infection of lungs affected 99 people in our neighborhood. There are four other neighbor children who have died and 17 more who are in the hospital struggling to recover their lives. We have our thoughts with their friends and relations. One of the times we should be watching each other and keeping connected is now.

New Bacteria : Legionnaires’ Disease

Health officials in the city found out that the cause of the outbreak was bacteria known as Legionella, which was present in the cooling towers of 10 buildings in the area of Harlem, including, the Trudeau Institute, Harlem Hospital Center and local health clinic. They are also known to be the cooling towers used in the buildings that aid in the cooling effect of certain buildings but when not maintained well, it can be the hotbed of bacteria.

The silver lining in this: 11 of the 12 affected towers will be completely cleaned, and disinfected. The second one is under repair, and should be finished by Friday with the clean. Teams in the city are working day and night to ensure our air is clean.

How Does Legionnaires’ Disease Spread?

You cannot contract Legionnaires disease through somebody. It is contagious as individuals inhale droplets of water suspended in the air and which occupies the Legionella bacteria. These droplets may be produced by objects such as cooling towers, showers or fountains-particularly when that water has been sitting around and is warm.

No one can get it by drinking water, and cannot give it to anyone. Individuals more than 50 yrs, smokers, and people with weak immune systems, or chronic lung complications have the highest risk.

What Are the Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease

In case you live or work in Harlem, you should be aware of indications of Legionnaires disease. The signs and symptoms may resemble pneumonia or the flu and tend to appear two to 10 days after exposure.

Watch out for;

– High temperature

– Cough- Weight loss

– Pains in the muscle

– Headache

– Chest pain

– Confusion

– Vomiting, diarrhea or nausea

And don’t hesitate to make an appointment with a doctor, in case you or someone you know experiences these symptoms , particularly at the age when the risks start to increase, or you also have some other health condition. Treatment can be done early saving lives.

What Are Officials Doing?

Mayor Eric Adams has given the community an assurance:

There is no assault of drinking water and air can be inhaled. Harlem council member Yusef while calling on all to take this seriously stated:

This is no time to lay up anywhere. Try to see a doctor- this is serious. City health teams are not just able to clean the towers but monitor the situation as well. They are ensuring that all buildings have stringent safety regulations so that we do not see this recurrently

How Can We Protect Ourselves and Each Other?

Be Informed:

Keep yourself posted on what the news is on the NYC health department.

Be aware of the symptoms:

If you are unwell, then you should not wait until you are able to check on those symptoms.

Support each other:

Make trip to visit older neighbors, friends and family members and particularly those who are at risk.

Have faith in the process:

The city is doing what has worked to clean and inspect the cooling towers and professionals are at work.

Summary

The Legionnaires disease is uncommon yet outbreaks may occur in the case of improper maintenance of the building water systems. This is nothing new to New York City and each and every time, the city has learned and been able to enhance its safety guidelines. Nonetheless it acts as a reminder that everyone must stay alert- in older buildings or areas with outdated infrastructure.

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