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Three residents of Newark have been infected with Legionnaires 'disease during an alleged outbreak in a downtown seniors' home, officials said Friday.
Dr. Mark Wade, director of the Ministry of Health and Community Wellness, said that an individual had been diagnosed in December and that two others had become ill last month.
Dr. Wade stated that one of the patients had recovered. The state of the other two was not clear immediately.
"The fact that people in this building have been diagnosed does not necessarily mean that it comes from the water supply here," Dr. Wade said outside Nevada Street 2, according to the video from the city.
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria found in soil or water, said Dr. Wade. When the water is warmed up and enters the plumbing system, the bacteria multiply. He pointed out that people are infected when they inspire droplets of water, not to touch other people or to be in the area.
The building's water system will be inspected on Monday and the city should receive the results within three weeks, said Dr. Wade.
"We have to determine exactly where it comes from," said Mayor Ras Baraka. "Legionnaires are common and can be treated with antibiotics. This becomes more dangerous for the elderly and immunodeficient. "
The section 8 building, consisting of 306 units, was owned by Jonathan Rose Companies until the company sold it in April to the Hudson Valley Property Group. Hudson Valley did not immediately respond to a message requesting a comment.
Karen Yi can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi Or on Facebook.
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