Legionnaires’ Disease in Co-Op City Sickens At Least Two, Likely More.

At least two cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Co-Op City have been reported. But there are likely more.

This serious pneumonia infection is likely related to a cooling tower contaminated with the bacterial pathogen, Legionella. A sign that city and state mandated disinfection activities of cooling towers in the area have been poorly maintained.

Cases were reported from residents of 120 Alcott Place in the Co-op City neighborhood. This cooperative housing development is located in the city’s northeast section of New York City’s Bronx borough.

Here’s what we know about the recent investigation of Legionnaire’s disease in Co-op City.

New York City Health Department Investigates Legionnaires’ Disease in Co-op City

According to reports, people who live in the building at 120 Alcott Place say a notice for the New York City Health Department slipped a notice under their door and posted the same notice in the lobby.

This investigation comes after reports of two residents of the housing facility were diagnosed with Legionnaire’s disease within the last 12 months.

The Health Department indicates that they are evaluating the water system at the building and notifying residents of the situation.

Not The First Issue of Legionnaires’ Disease in Co-op City

This is not the first time residents in the Co-op City area have been exposed to Legionnaires’ disease. Over the past ten years, several Legionnaires’ disease problems have occurred.

In 2015, eight people in the Co-op City public housing complex tested positive for Legionnaires. Also, in 2018 one resident died from complications of the illness.

These, and many more prompted the City to reevaluate regulations on the primary suspect – cooling towers.

Stricter Regulation Aimed at Information and Increased Penalties

In 2016, then New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio along with the City Counsel revamped regulations on cooling towers.

The new legislation included:

• stricter maintenance requirements
• increased penalties for failure to maintain
• enabled more transparency on maintenance activities.

But how do buildings become contaminated in the first place?

How Do Residents in Buildings with Cooling Towers Become Exposed?

So, how exactly to residents in buildings with cooling towers become exposed?

It all comes down to the tiny bacteria, Legionella.

People become sick when they inhale airborne Legionella bacteria.

Where Do They Come From?

These microscopic germs can be found in freshwater environments. Places like lakes and streams. But they can also make their homes in the biofilm layers of human-made water systems like cooling towers. It is in these spaces that Legionella bacteria are most likely to cause harm.

How Do People Become Infected?

People become infected when they breathe in those microscopic water droplets containing the bacteria. While that may seem unlikely, anything that can aerosolize or mist water in the air can carry these bad bugs into the air. From there, they can make their way into the lungs of an unsuspecting person.

Common human-made water systems at risk for spreading Legionella bacteria include:

• Hot tubs
• Hot water tanks and heaters
• Showerheads and sink faucets
• Large, complex plumbing systems
• Decorative fountains and water features
• Plumbing systems under construction or dead legs
• Cooling towers such as those used in large buildings air-cooling systems or industrial processes.

What About Other Air-Conditioning Systems?

Fortunately, home air-conditioning systems are not at risk for Legionella growth. This is because they work differently than cooling towers that use water to cool the air. Car air-conditioning systems also pose no risk of Legionella growth for the same reason.

Is Legionnaires’ Disease Contagious?

Fortunately, Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious. You are unlikely to become sick with Legionnaires’ disease if exposed to someone with the infection. There have only been a few rare circumstances where that type of transmission has been documented.

Legionnaires’ Disease in Co-op City is Preventable

Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in Co-op City and other parts of the country are entirely preventable. In fact, several state and local regulations mandate sanitation protocols and the required frequency.

New York State rules, New York City Chapter 8, and Local Law 77 include mandates for inspection, cleaning, disinfection, and testing of all New York City Cooling towers.

Local Law 77 even requires building owners with cooling towers to certify that they are in compliance with the law annually.

Some of the requirements include:

• Testing each cooling tower every 90 days
• Perform the following routine manual water quality monitoring at least three times per week with no more than two days between monitoring (unless the process is automated).
  • temperature
  • pH
  • conductivity
  • biocide concentration
• Microbial monitoring performed weekly

Legionnaires’ Disease Symptoms to Lookout For

Those who live or visit the Co-op City area need to be on the lookout for Legionnaires’ disease symptoms. Early treatment with an accurate diagnosis increases the odds of faster recovery.

Common symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches
• Headaches

In some cases, people with Legionnaires’ disease may also experience diarrhea, nausea, and/or confusion.

Legionnaires’ Disease is Serious!

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious illness. In fact, 1 in 10 people with Legionnaires’ disease will die from complications. When contracted in a health care facility setting, this statistic increases to 1 in 4!

Fortunately, not everyone who is exposed will become sick. However, some groups of people are more susceptible to infection and more likely to experience serious illness.

Those at higher risk include:

• People 50 with cancer
• People 50 years or older
• Current or former smokers
• People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure
• People with chronic lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema
• People with weak immune systems or who take drugs that weaken the immune system (such as after a transplant or chemotherapy)

It is important for people in these higher risk groups to see their health care provider right away if they begin experiencing respiratory symptoms. Notifying your doctor of potential exposure can also help them order the right tests for an accurate diagnosis.

New York City Health Officials Offer Advise to Those Living in Co-op City

Health officials indicate that those at higher risk should take precautions.

Legionnaires’ disease is not contracted by consuming water contaminated with the bacteria. Illness occurs when small amounts of the bacteria reach the lungs. While they can still drink cold water from the tap and wash their hands, other activities that can create aerosols should be avoided.

Choose a bath instead of a shower. If filling a sink to wash dishes, use lower pressure on the tap and fill it slowly to avoid creating a mist.

So Far There Are Two Reported Cases, But There Are Likely More

Many cases of Legionnaire’s disease are not attributed to the illness. It presents similar symptoms to other types of pneumonia and often, albeit more slowly, responds to certain pneumonia treatment protocols.

Without tests specifically designed to identify Legionella bacterial infections, an accurate diagnosis is nearly impossible. It is even indistinguishable on chest x-rays.

If You Have Been Diagnosed with Pneumonial Illness You May Have Legionnaires’ Disease

If you live or have visited the Co-op City area and have been diagnosed with pnuemonial illness, you may have contracted Legionnaires’ disease.

Medical bills, lost time at work, and other burdens associated with this entirely preventable illness add up. An experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer can help you through this difficult process.

The Lange Law Firm Can Help!

If you have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease or pneumonial illness and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help!

Call (833) 330-3663 or fill out the online submission form for a free, no obligation consultation.

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)