Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Harlem have prompted an investigation at one of New York City’s largest residential building complex.
The water systems shared by two buildings in the Manhattan neighborhood are being inspected after cases in the last 12 months were confirmed at 3333 Broadway and 135th Street. It has not yet been determined how the individuals contracted the bacteria.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which also caused an outbreak in Harlem last year that left 7 people dead and more than 100 infected.
“The NYC Health Department is working with the buildings’ management and testing of the water is underway to confirm whether or not legionella bacteria is present in the buildings’ plumbing system,” a spokesperson shared Tuesday.
“When we are conducting a building evaluation like this one, there is no risk to the surrounding community.”
In another statement, a spokesperson for the building’s management indicated that it is unknown how and where the affected tenants contracted the disease and assured that they are fully cooperating with the process.
It is not yet known when the water test results will be ready; it could take more than two weeks. In the meantime, tenants are advised to shower, wash their hands, and drink cold water, or boil it, as hot water produces steam and bacteria that spread through aerosol droplets.
Medical investigators have linked past city outbreaks to public fountains, air conditioning systems, spas, showers and even the misters than keep fruit moist in supermarkets. People simply walking by can get infected inhaling the mist, which can travel up to a mile, under some conditions.
City and state officials in 2015 enacted regulations requiring building cooling towers be regularly registered, tested and inspected following a deadly outbreak in the city.
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