Updated
Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Sep 20
NYC Health Expands Legionnaires' Outreach to 2 Bronx ZIP Codes as Cases Reach 19
Updated
Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Sep 20

NYC Health Expands Legionnaires' Outreach to 2 Bronx ZIP Codes as Cases Reach 19

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Sep 20

Summary

  • Two additional South Bronx ZIP codes—10455 and 10459—were added to the outreach zone after new Legionnaires' cases appeared a few blocks beyond the original Melrose and Morrisania investigation area.
  • Nineteen people have tested positive since late August, including two deaths; 11 patients have been discharged, four remain hospitalized and two were not hospitalized.
  • Cooling towers across the affected neighborhoods are being tested as the likely source of Legionella, with immediate cleaning and disinfection ordered for any tower that tests positive.
  • Residents who lived, worked or visited ZIP codes 10451, 10455, 10456 or 10459 and develop flu-like symptoms are urged to seek care quickly; the city plans a virtual town hall on Sept. 22.

Insights

With nineteen infected and two dead, what hidden urban infrastructure is secretly fueling this deadly Legionnaires' outbreak in the South Bronx?
As NYC expands its health alert, are current cooling tower regulations failing to protect vulnerable neighborhoods from contaminated mist?