Health Department Investigating Outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease in the South Bronx

Good Afternoon AWS Service Providers,

The Advance Warning System (AWS) disseminates information to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs through their service providers. Please share the important information below with your clients and other agencies or individuals to empower them to make informed decisions.

Please review this press release from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene about an outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease in the South Bronx. If you're a service provider in the South Bronx, please encourage your clients to seek medical care if they have respiratory symptoms such as, fever, cough, chills or muscle aches.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATING OUTBREAK OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE IN THE SOUTH BRONX

Thirty-one cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported since July 10. New Yorkers with respiratory symptoms, such as fever, cough, chills and muscle aches, are advised to promptly seek medical attention.

July 29, 2015 - The Health Department is currently investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the South Bronx. Thirty-one cases have been reported since July 10. There have also been two deaths reported in patients with Legionnaires' disease in these neighborhoods. The Health Department is actively investigating these deaths and their relationship to the outbreak. The Health Department is testing water from cooling towers and other potential sources in the area to determine the source of the outbreak. New Yorkers with respiratory symptoms, such as fever, cough, chills and muscle aches, are advised to promptly seek medical attention.

"We are concerned about this unusual increase in Legionnaires' disease cases in the South Bronx," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett. "We are conducting a swift investigation to determine the source of the outbreak and prevent future cases. I urge anyone with symptoms to seek medical attention right away."

Legionnaires' disease is caused by the bacteria Legionella. Additional symptoms include: headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, confusion and diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear two to 10 days after significant exposure to Legionella bacteria. Most cases of Legionnaires' disease can be traced to plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for Legionella growth, such as whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks, cooling towers, and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems.

Legionnaires' disease cannot be spread from person to person. Groups at high risk for Legionnaires' disease include people who are middle-aged or older - especially cigarette smokers - people with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems and people who take medicines that weaken their immune systems (immunosuppressive drugs). Those with symptoms should call their doctor and ask about testing for Legionnaire's disease.

For more information about Legionnaires' disease, please visit the Health Department website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/diseases/cdlegi.shtml

NYCEM Human Services Unit:

Human Services ESF List email distribution list (sends to all listed below): humanservicesESFList@oem.nyc.gov

Christopher Pagnotta
Advance Warning/Community Outreach Specialist
Cell: 347-578-1485
cpagnotta@oem.nyc.gov

Johanna Conroy
Director of Human Services
Cell: 917-662-3295
jconroy@oem.nyc.gov

Marianne Jackson
Special Needs Liaison
Cell: 646-879-7232
mjackson@oem.nyc.gov

Eli Fresquez
Senior Human Services DAFN Planner
Cell: 347-386-0389
efresquez@oem.nyc.gov

Cynthia Barton
Disaster Housing Recovery Program Manager
Cell: 917-468-2768
cbarton@oem.nyc.gov

Jonas Ballreich
Human Services Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Cell: 347-374-1058
jballreich@oem.nyc.gov

Jay Brandt
Human Services Emergency Preparedness Manager
Cell: 646-596-3147
jbrandt@oem.nyc.gov

Marnie Suss
Human Services Emergency Support Function Coordinator
Cell: 917-468-1728
msuss@oem.nyc.gov

Annette Santiago
Assistant Commissioner of Human Resources
Cell: 347-534-7028
asantiago@oem.nyc.gov

Sonia Ajwani
Human Services Emergency Support Function Coordinator
Cell: 646-628-7684
sajwani@oem.nyc.gov

Elizabeth Angeles
Human Services Emergency Support Function Coordinator
Cell: 646-628-7754
eangeles@oem.nyc.gov