New York City has been under the microscope since the mysterious outbreak of Legionnaires Disease
Legionnaires is a disease that is exposure to the bacteria Legionella, in which some people are exposed by inhaling aerosols from cooling towers, hot tubs, showers and faucets of drinking water. So far, the Bronx is the only borough that has been detected to have the disease.
Since the announcement of Legionnaires on July 10th, there has been 97 residents reported sick and 8 fatalities from the disease.
The NYC Department of Health says that those who died from Legionnaires are older adults who had other medical problems. Areas in the Bronx that are reported to have Legionnaires are Morisanna, High Bridge, Hunts Point and Mott Haven.
Twenty buildings have been visited and seventeen of those buildings tested positive for Legionnaires including Lincoln Hospital.
Health Commissioner Mary Bassett says that this is the largest outbreak of Legionnaires in New York City, but expects the number to decline in the upcoming months because the earlier the disease is detected and treated, the safer people will be.
Should everyone in New York City be alarmed from the Legionnaires threat?
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