Health authorities in New York City have announced two cases of Legionnaires' disease in a residential complex in Queens, marking the city's third outbreak of the disease this year.
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Legionnaires' disease, an acute pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella, is transmitted through inhaling contaminated water spray or droplets, and is not usually transmitted from person to person.
The city's health department explained that the two cases were among residents of the "North Shore Towers" complex, which includes 1,844 apartments, confirming that the complex's water is still safe to drink despite the continued testing of water systems for Legionella bacteria.
The Daily Mail quoted a spokeswoman for the administration as saying that the relevant authorities are assessing the hot water system in the complex after the two cases were diagnosed, noting that the presence of bacteria has not yet been confirmed and does not pose a risk to the surrounding community.
The complex's management informed residents of the cases and urged those most vulnerable to complications to take extra precautions, particularly those over 50, smokers, and those with chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system. They also advised them to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle pain, and coughing.
The source of the infection has not yet been determined, though officials believe the cooling towers are unlikely to be the source. The city has experienced two previous outbreaks this year: one in the South Bronx that sickened 23 people and caused two deaths, and another in the Upper East Side in July that sickened 94 people, seven of whom died. Both outbreaks were linked to contaminated cooling towers where bacteria were detected before they were cleaned and the outbreaks were brought under control.
Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease usually begin with fever, headache, and muscle aches, and may progress to coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. In severe cases, it can lead to acute pneumonia and serious complications such as sepsis.
The disease is treated with antibiotics, which are most effective when used early, with the elderly, smokers, and those with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems being more prone to complications.
Nationally, cases of Legionnaires' disease in the United States rose from about 1,100 in 2000 to nearly 10,000 in 2018, while New York recorded 438 cases in 2022 after a peak of 656 in 2018.
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