Five people were killed in Harlem, New York, and another 14 are being treated after being infected with legionellosis, local health services said today, “blaming” air conditioning systems for the spread of the bacterium.
A total of 108 cases have been recorded in this district, the Municipal Health Service underlined, stating that the bacterium was found in cooling towers.
Legionelosis is a serious respiratory infection due to bacteria of the Legionella. The mortality rate of those affected is 9%.
The infection can come from the water but also from the inhalation of water microparticles in the atmosphere. The disease is not transmitted from human to person.
The municipality reminded the owners of buildings that they were obliged to care for maintaining air conditioning systems so that the bacterium would not find suitable ground to grow.
The disease was named after the first known cases found in 1976 at a Philadelphia hotel hosting the American Legion Veterans Conference. Then, 34 people had lost their lives.
Source :Skai
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