Legionnaires' Outbreak: Lessons Learned in NYC

Introduction

In the summer of 2015, New York City was hit with a Legionnaires' outbreak that claimed the lives of seven people. The source of the outbreak was traced back to two city buildings - a NYC Health and Hospitals building and a construction site in Harlem. Genetic testing revealed that both locations were contaminated with Legionella bacteria, the cause of Legionnaires' disease.

Key Details

The NYC Health and Hospitals building, located in the Bronx, had a cooling tower that was found to be the source of the outbreak. The cooling tower was not properly maintained and was found to have high levels of Legionella bacteria. The construction site in Harlem was also found to have high levels of Legionella in the water, which was used for dust control and other purposes. This highlights the importance of proper maintenance and testing of cooling towers and other water systems.

Impact

The Legionnaires' outbreak caused panic and concern in the city, leading to increased awareness and measures to prevent future outbreaks. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene implemented new regulations for cooling towers and required regular inspections and testing. The outbreak also shed light on the potential health hazards of construction sites and the need for proper safety measures. As a result, both city buildings were required to take immediate action to address the contamination and prevent any further outbreaks.