Two Westchester residents have died and at least 38 others have been sickened by an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, as officials continue to search for the source across the suburban county.
“This is not a cause for undue alarm, but it is a reminder and does stress the importance of public awareness,” Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said in a press briefing on Sept. 15.
County officials did not elaborate on the two deaths – one New Rochelle and one White Plains resident – during the latest briefing.
The 38 confirmed cases in Westchester already top the 24 total cases reported last year. Amler also noted that there doesn’t seem to be a connection between this year’s cases.
“So far, we have not identified a common source or exposure among the individuals who became ill,” she said.
But, Amler said, the county Department of Health has identified a cluster of five cases in Yonkers. It is unclear where the others cases have been reported. The Health Department and Jenkins’ office did not respond to The Record’s inquiries about additional cases and deaths, including if any had been reported in Rye.
In New York City, investigators only recently concluded their probe into an outbreak of Legionnaires’ cases in two Harlem cooling towers. As of Aug. 29, there had been 114 confirmed cases, 90 hospitalizations, and seven deaths as a result of the outbreak, according to the NYC Health Department.
Legionnaires’ disease is a non-contagious type of pneumonia caused by bacteria that can grow in building water systems, like cooling towers. Symptoms can include a cough, fever, chills, or shortness of breath.
The Westchester Health Department says it “works year-round” with building managers to test and treat cooling towers, and enforce regulation compliance.
County health officials are urging anyone not feeling well to seek medical attention. Legionnaires’ can be treated with antibiotics, but early intervention yields the best recovery results.
“Public health awareness really is key to ensuring that people get prompt and adequate treatment, so that we can prevent any further fatalities,” Amler said.
