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Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Upper East Side reaches 23 cases
Fox News • • general
Key Points:
- New York City health officials have confirmed 23 cases and 17 hospitalizations of Legionnaires' disease linked to Manhattan's Upper East Side and the east side of Central Park since late June, with no deaths reported so far.
- The likely source of the outbreak is contaminated cooling towers, and the disease is not spread person-to-person or through the city’s drinking water.
- Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria found in stagnant water sources, with symptoms including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and headaches appearing 2 to 14 days after exposure.
- Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics like Levofloxacin and Azithromycin are crucial, especially for high-risk groups such as people over 50, smokers, and those with chronic lung conditions, as the disease can be life-threatening.
- Prevention focuses on reducing bacterial growth in water systems through management programs, and experts recommend smokers quit and individuals support their immune health to lower the risk of severe illness.
