United States: Five people die of Legionnaires' disease due to air conditioning
Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection caused by the Legionella bacteria. The New York City Department of Health has blamed the air conditioning system.
Illustrative photo Sipa/Newscom/Richard B. Levine
Five people have died in the New York City neighborhood of Harlem and 14 are hospitalized after contracting Legionnaires' disease. A total of 108 cases have been confirmed in the area, according to the New York City Department of Health, which said air conditioning cooling towers had tested positive for the bacteria.
Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection caused by the Legionella bacteria, with a 9% fatality rate. Contamination can occur through water or through the respiratory tract, via micro-droplets suspended in the air. The disease is not contagious from person to person.
The city's health department has reminded building owners of their obligation to ensure proper maintenance of their air conditioning systems to prevent the bacteria from proliferating.
The disease takes its name from the first known cases, which occurred in 1976 in a Philadelphia hotel where the American Legion Veterans Association was holding a conference. Thirty-four people died.
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