Ongoing Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City prompts Harlem officials to express vigilance among residents

In the heart of New York City, the Central Harlem community has been facing an ongoing outbreak of Legionnaires' disease since late July. On Thursday, a press conference was held to update the public on the current state of the outbreak, with Harlem City Councilmember Yusef Salaam, New York State Sen. Cordell Cleare, Assemblyman Jordan Wright, and Dr. Michelle Morse, the interim commissioner of NYC Health, in attendance.

Officials believe they have traced the outbreak to cooling towers on 11 buildings in the Central Harlem area. As of Thursday, more than 80 cases have been reported, with three fatalities. A total of 24 infected individuals are currently hospitalized.

Last week, the infected cooling towers underwent antibacterial treatments to stop the Legionella bacteria from spreading. However, it is crucial to note that the risk to the Central Harlem community at large is not limited to these specific buildings, as the mist from cooling towers can carry bacteria.

Legionnaires' disease is a severe and potentially deadly form of pneumonia that grows in warm, stagnant water and spreads through mist in the air. It does not spread from person to person. Symptoms of the disease include cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, and shortness of breath.

To prevent the spread of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem, it is crucial to proactively manage and maintain building water systems. This includes controlling water temperature, preventing water stagnation, and ensuring regular disinfection—especially in devices like cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, humidifiers, and air-conditioning systems, which are known Legionella growth sites.

Key prevention measures include maintaining hot water systems at temperatures above 140°F (60°C) and cold water below 68°F (20°C) to inhibit Legionella growth, using thermostatic balancing valves or similar technology to maintain consistent water flow and circulation, implementing scheduled cleaning and biocide treatment, conducting routine Legionella testing and risk assessments in buildings, and educating residents and building operators about risks and signs of Legionella contamination.

Maintaining and regularly treating water systems remains the cornerstone of outbreak prevention in residential and commercial buildings throughout Central Harlem. These combined strategies, supported by advanced balancing technology and stringent water management plans, can effectively reduce the risk of Legionnaires' disease in the area.

The city is working diligently to ensure that every contaminated cooling tower in Harlem is remedied immediately and ongoing testing is conducted throughout the area. The public is encouraged to report any maintenance issues promptly to help prevent further spread of the disease.

For more information on Legionnaires' disease and prevention measures, visit NYC Health's website. Stay safe, Central Harlem.

The news of Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Central Harlem has been dominating local headlines since late July.
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