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3 sources·Started 10d ago·Updated 8d ago
Second Legionnaires' Death in NYC as 72 Infected in Upper East Side Outbreak
Legionnaires' diseaseNew York CityUpper East SideCooling towersLegionella bacteriaDr. Alister F. MartinHealth DepartmentCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
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Two people have died and 72 have been infected in a Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side, the New York City Health Department announced Saturday Source: AP News. The outbreak, first detected July 2 after two cases, led to an investigation focusing on cooling towers in large buildings. Health officials ordered cleaning and disinfection of towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria Source: The Guardian. Over 75 buildings have shown evidence of the bacteria Source: AP News.
The Outbreak's Decline
Officials reported a sustained decline in new cases, from an average of more than eight daily to fewer than one daily in the second week of July, indicating the source of exposure has likely been eliminated Source: The Guardian. Nine patients remain hospitalized, while 50 have been discharged Source: The Guardian.
The Response
Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin expressed condolences and emphasized that "an aggressive strategy of testing, enforcement and remediation appears to have stopped the source of exposure" Source: The Guardian. All building owners with positive tests have completed cleaning. The city continues inspections and will hold violators accountable Source: The Guardian. Last year, a similar outbreak in Harlem caused seven deaths and over 100 illnesses Source: AP News.
Story timeline · 1 earlier headline
- First death reported in New York City Legionnaires’ disease outbreak10d ago · 4 sources
- Second Legionnaires' Death in NYC as 72 Infected in Upper East Side Outbreakcurrent
Sources
6 quotesAP News↗
“A second person has died in connection with an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York, the New York City Health Department announced Saturday.”
The Guardian↗
“We directed every building with an initial positive test result to immediately clean and disinfect its cooling tower, and every one has completed that work.”
AP News↗
“The city says tests have identified either living or dead Legionella bacteria — the micro-organisms that cause the disease — in cooling towers on more than 75 Upper East Side buildings.”
The Guardian↗
“The number of new cases then dropped to fewer than one daily from 10 to 17 July.”
The Guardian↗
“Nonetheless, a statement attributed to the New York City health commissioner, Dr Alister F Martin, said there was “encouraging” data suggesting that “an aggressive strategy of testing, enforcement and remediation” aimed at air-conditioning systems atop many large buildings “appears to have stopped the source of exposure”.”
AP News↗
“Last year, seven people died and more than 100 were sickened during an outbreak in New York’s Harlem neighborhood.”