New York City on High Alert for Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak


If you live in New York City, you may be on high alert after the most recent Legionnaires' Disease outbreak to hit the city. Legionnaires' Disease isn’t contagious, but it can be deadly if not caught early, which is why NYC officials have issued health warnings and stepped up disease surveillance since 11 people were diagnosed with the condition this month. ivermectin  Here’s what you need to know about Legionnaires' Disease and how you can prevent yourself from getting sick during this outbreak or any other time of year.


A deadly disease

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are between 8,000 and 18,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease every year in the United States. hydroxychloroquine for sale The disease is caused by a waterborne bacterium called Legionella pneumophila, which thrives in warm environments like hot tubs and cooling towers; it can also lurk in large plumbing systems. In people with weak immune systems or existing lung problems, infection can be deadly: The CDC says up to 30 percent of patients die.


Follow the instructions of health authorities

If you live in NYC and develop symptoms of pneumonia, please call 311 (or your local emergency services) immediately. The best way to prevent an outbreak is to be cautious. If you notice any signs of illness (even something as mild as a cough), do not go to work or attend public events until it’s been confirmed that you don’t have legionella bacteria in your system. Make sure that all building management is aware of what to look out for, too!


Filtration systems can help protect your building from this dangerous illness

As of July 6, 2017, there have been nine reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City. Most recently, a person working at Blueprint Cleanse—the company behind Juice Press—was diagnosed with a mild case of Legionnaires’ disease. ziverdo kit  And earlier in June, 11 people living or working in downtown Manhattan tested positive for some form of pneumonia. At least four died as a result of their illness.


What causes Legionnaires’ disease?

The majority of legionellosis cases are due to exposure to potable water systems, such as in cooling towers, hot tubs and other environmental water sources. People can become infected with legionella by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. azithromycin  While it's possible that direct contact with individuals who are sick with legionellosis could spread infection, health officials don't believe that is happening here at present. The illness is not easily transmitted from person to person—but you should avoid touching or going near anyone who is sick or exhibiting symptoms of pneumonia.


Symptoms of a Legionnaires' infection

Chest pain and shortness of breath, chills, fever, muscle aches, headaches, confusion and fatigue. Symptoms can last between two days and two weeks. Most people begin to recover from a mild infection within a week; more severe cases can take longer to recover from.


How is it treated?

The CDC says people with mild to moderate cases of Legionnaires’ disease should rest and drink plenty of fluids. Most people recover after two weeks without antibiotics. However, in severe cases that involve pneumonia, patients may need intravenous antibiotics, which must be given at a hospital. According to CNBC , about 10 percent of patients die from severe pneumonia associated with Legionnaires’ disease. (Sourced from: Time )


Preventing an outbreak

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia that is contracted by breathing in mist contaminated with legionella bacteria. There are more than 100,000 cases reported worldwide each year, but only 10-15% of those result in death. In 2015, there were over 19,000 cases and 815 deaths. The majority of patients with Legionnaire’s disease have underlying health problems such as cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also possible to be infected without being sickened; about 5-10% of people exposed to legionella become ill. As a reminder: anyone can get sick from legionella bacteria–it doesn’t matter how healthy you think you are! There are some measures that can be taken to prevent infection though...

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