For more information, please contact:
6 Warner Rd.
Warner, NH 03278
(603) 456-2011
[email protected]
A recent outbreak of
Legionnaires' disease in New York City has led to seven deaths
and over sixty hospitalizations. The bacterial
infection is generally found in water, but can also be present
in soil is commonly spread
through mist including that
from air conditioning and showers.
Luckily, the disease can not be
transmitted from person to
person. However, that poses an increased challenge of
determining the cause of the outbreak.
The latest outbreak in New
York has led investigators to a cluster of five buildings,
including a hotel and a hospital, that have all
tested positive for the legionella bacteria. Appropriate
measures are being taken to ensure the bacteria is fully
depleted.
The legionella bacteria typically thrives in temperatures
between 25 and 45 C (77 to 113 F). With the
recent heat wave, the temperatures have given the bacteria an
ideal environment to continue to replicate. However, the higher
temperatures are also leading the buildings in New York to
generally use more air conditioning and water consumption, leading
to potential human contact.
Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are similar to those of
influenza, including respiratory symptoms such as chills, fever and
cough. In the United States, between 8,000 and 18,000 patients are
annually hospitalized from the disease.
