Legionnaire's in the neighborhood

After the Legionnaire's disease (pneumonia) bacteria were found on the Upper East Side, a west side building tested its own system and found it.  That's good: It will be disinfected within 24 hours.  

Our building does not have central air conditioning and therefore we have NO COOLING TOWER and therefore should not worry about Legionnaire's immediately around our building. 

But here's general information from East Side state senator Liz Krueger about Legionnaire's: 

The Health Department wants you to know the following: A positive test result from the PCR screening test means that Legionella bacteria is either currently present (live bacteria that is harmful) or was previously present (dead bacteria that is not harmful) in the cooling tower. Only live Legionella bacteria can cause illness. A positive PCR screening test result does not mean that the tower is the source of the community cluster. There is no reason to panic if you live or work in or near a building that tests positive. All cooling towers that test positive from the PCR screening test must be cleaned and disinfected within 24 hours. A bacterial culture test must be performed in order to verify whether there is live Legionella bacteria in the cooling tower. It takes two weeks to get the results from this test. If you are experiencing symptoms that are suggestive of Legionnaires' disease, it is important to seek medical attention early, especially if you are at risk for Legionnaires' disease. Make sure to tell your health care provider that you are concerned about having Legionnaires'.

If you were unable to attend the Virtual Town Hall that the NYC Health Department held on Monday, July 6th, please click here to watch a recording. Community cluster status update: As of July 9th, the NYC Health Department reported that 46 individuals are known to have Legionnaires' disease, 22 of whom were hospitalized. There have been no deaths. Since the community cluster was announced, many constituents have called my office to express concerns and ask questions. Below are responses to the most frequently asked questions: Is it safe to drink the water, run my air conditioner, and take a shower? Yes, it is safe to use air conditioners, cooling centers, and other facilities in the affected areas. It is also safe to shower and drink tap water. Cooling tower mist is released outdoors and does not affect indoor air conditioning systems, window air conditioners, or building plumbing. Are public water fountains in parks and playgrounds safe? Drinking water is not a concern. Playground and park fountains are safe - they are coming from the municipal water source, which has a residual chlorine disinfectant. Can someone pass it from one person to another? You cannot get Legionnaires' disease from a person sick with Legionnaires' disease - the disease is not contagious. You can only develop Legionnaires' disease by breathing in water vapor in the air containing the Legionella bacteria from sources such as cooling towers. Cooling towers emit water vapors into the air that travel into the community. The mist cannot be felt or seen. What Is Legionnaires' Disease? Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by the bacteria Legionella, which grows in warm water. Individuals at higher risk for Legionnaires' include those 50 years old and older, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems. What are the symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease? The symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, and a cough. People with Legionnaires' may also have headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, confusion, or diarrhea. Symptoms typically take 2-14 days, but may take up to two weeks to appear following exposure and may worsen and become severe or even fatal. Should I wear a mask? The NYC Health Department does not recommend wearing a mask, but you can certainly wear a mask if it feels more comfortable when walking around in the affected areas. If you choose to wear a mask, please keep in mind that surgical masks are not as effective. KN94 or N95 masks are higher quality and more protective. The Health Department is stressing the importance of contacting one's doctor about testing if you experience symptoms. It is important to monitor any symptoms and seek care immediately if you have symptoms that are suggestive of Legionnaires' disease. The disease is treatable with antibiotics, particularly when treated early on. It is critical to get evaluated, and if positive, to get antibiotics as soon as possible. Where can I get tested if I have symptoms that are suggestive of Legionnaires' disease? You can see your doctor or go to an emergency department for testing if you are experiencing symptoms. NYC H+H emergency departments are equipped to assess and provide testing for individuals with or without insurance. Other hospital emergency departments are equipped to assess and provide testing for individuals who are insured. Please note that tests are not administered to individuals who are not exhibiting symptoms. If you do not have a primary care physician, you can call 311 to find a provider.  Is there a screening test I can take to check if I have Legionnaires'? If you do not have symptoms, it is not medically appropriate to get tested for Legionnaires'. Speaking from personal experience, I called my doctor due to having cold symptoms and I was told that it was good I had reached out, but based on my symptoms, testing for Legionnaires' was not appropriate.  For additional information and updates, please visit the NYC Health Department's Legionnaires' disease web page.

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