New York City health officials have reported a seventh fatality related to the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem, with the total count of diagnosed cases exceeding 100.
The most recent death, made public on Thursday, is linked to an individual who passed away before mid-August and was suffering from the disease. As of Thursday, officials have confirmed that 114 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, with six currently hospitalized.
The Legionella bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease had been identified in 12 cooling towers across 10 buildings. These buildings include a city hospital and a sexual health clinic. According to reliable sources, remediation efforts have been carried out in all affected cooling towers.
Legionnaires’ disease is a variant of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrive in warm water and are transmitted through building water systems. The significance becomes clear when we consider that the city’s outbreak has been linked to cooling towers, which utilize water and a fan to cool their structures.
People usually develop symptoms, including a cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, between two days and two weeks after exposure to the bacteria, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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City health officials have advised individuals who reside or work in the area to consult a health care provider if they experience flu-like symptoms. This raises important questions about the potential spread of the disease and the public’s safety.
To conclue, the death toll from the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City rises to 7, with ongoing efforts to control and remedy the situation.
