By Admin 
Legionnares disease: In the Central Harlem area of New York City, there has been an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease. According to the health department of the city, two people have died due to this disease and 58 people have fallen ill. It is a rare but severe type of pneumonia, caused by Legionella Bacteria.
How does this disease spread?
Logionirs disease usually spreads in places where warm and stagnant water is present. This bacteria thrives in cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative fountains and plumbing systems of large buildings. When the infected water spreads in the air as a fine mist or vapor and people take it in through the breath, then the infection occurs. This disease does not spread from person to person.
Harlem outbreak- what happened?
In late July, health officials recognized the cluster of cases in Harlem. Initially 22 cases and a death were reported, but by the beginning of August, the figure increased to 58 patients and 2 deaths. This outbreak spread to five ZIP codes (10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039). Investigation revealed that bacteria were present in 11 cooling towers in the area. They were immediately cleaned and disabled.
Symptoms and danger
Symptoms appear 2 to 10 days after infection. Common symptoms include high fever, chills, dry or forms cough, difficulty in breathing, headache and muscle pain. In severe cases, diarrhea, vomiting, confusion or loss of appetite are also seen. Symptoms often look like flu or covid-19, so timely identification can be difficult.
Which people are more in danger?
- People over 50 years old
- Smokers
- Those who have chronic lung disease or weak immunity
If the treatment is found late, it can reach the respiratory failure, shock and multi-organ failure. The mortality rate is an average of 10 percent, but it can be up to 25 percent in elderly and weak health.
Treatment and prevention
There is no vaccine of legendyers’ disease. Treatment gives antibiotics (such as levofloxacin, angeithromycin or doxycycline), and the patient can be cured if treatment starts in time. Hospital has to be hospitalized in serious cases.
Prevention measures
- Building management should do regular cleaning and disinfection of cooling towers and water systems.
- Flush the unusable tap and spoon once a week in large buildings.
- People at home set the temperature of the water heater at 120 ° F (49 ° C) and clean the showerheads from time to time.
Empty the garden hose after use and only according to the manufacturer’s guideline, use a humidifier or windshield washer fluid. This outbreak of Harlem shows how important the monitoring and maintenance of water -related structures in urban areas. Learn from initial identity and correct treatment can be saved, but it is equally necessary to rely on the correct information by avoiding rumors.
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Disclaimer: This information is based on the opinion of research studies and experts. Do not consider it an alternative to medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, consult your doctor or concerned specialist.
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