Legionnaire’s Disease Cluster: Upper East Side
The New York City Department of Health is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in the Upper East Side neighborhoods of Carnegie Hill and Yorkville (ZIP codes 10028 and 10128).
Home care providers serving patients in the affected area should remind staff to be alert for clients experiencing symptoms consistent with pneumonia, including fever, cough, chills, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing, particularly adults age 50 and older, smokers, and individuals with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems. Patients with these symptoms who live, work, or have recently visited the affected area should be encouraged to seek prompt medical evaluation.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by bacteria that grow in warm water. People only get sick by breathing in water vapor containing Legionella Bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and can be treated with antibiotics when caught early. It is safe to use air conditioners, cooling centers, and all city facilities in this neighborhood. It is also safe to shower and drink tap water. Mist from a cooling tower blows outside and does not affect the internal air conditioning, window air conditioning units, or plumbing systems.
