Legionella bacteria (Photo : ABC.net)
Legionnaires' disease, which has infected 90 people in New York City (NYC) is an illness that can trigger symptoms such as coughing, high fevers and pneumonia; and result in death. The recent NYC outbreak has been caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella that usually lives in amoebas found in warm water, but sometimes infects human hosts after contaminating H20 pipes and air conditioning systems.
NYC mayor Bill de Blasio has reported that the current epidemic has already peaked, according to ABC.net. However, it is the most severe one in the state's recorded history.
Elderly people and those with a weak immune system are most vulnerable to the ailment. That includes smokers and diabetes patients.
During the current NYC outbreak everyone who has been hit with the infectious disease has had an existing medical condition or health issue. That is according to the NYC Department of Public Health.
Legionnaires' disease is not contagious. Rather, people get infected by breathing in mist or drops of water (usually warm) that bacteria have contaminated.
Drinking water systems in institutional facilities are where outbreaks most often begin. They include hotels and hospitals.
Antibiotics can be an effective Legionnaires' treatment. However, the disease can kill a maximum of 40 percent of people who have its symptoms, according to Live Science. The mortality rate plunges to 5 percent if it is diagnosed and treated early.
Legionnaires' disease was initially identified in 1976 when several people at a Philadelphia convention fell ill due to a bacterial strain. The microbes were in the air conditioning system of the hotel. Most of the victims were members of the American Legion, a United States veterans' organization.
The current New York outbreak originated from water-cooling towers located in the Bronx. They have been decontaminated.
However, the structures might not have been the origin of the recent epidemic. Dr. Victor Yu of the University of Pittsburgh explained that water sources can contain Legionella, but do not necessarily infect people with the disease.
Various methods can kill the microbe. Flushing water systems with super-hot water or a copper-silver mixture is effective, but the germs are resistant to chlorine.
