Image by Darko Stojanovic from Pixabay
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.
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.
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.
In 2016, then New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio along with the City Counsel revamped regulations on cooling towers.
The new legislation included:
But how do buildings become contaminated in the first place?
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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:
In some cases, people with Legionnaires’ disease may also experience diarrhea, nausea, and/or confusion.
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:
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.
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.
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 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.
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)
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