Health Officials Investigate the Legionnaires' Epidemiologic Cluster in Lower Washington Heights

Municipal authorities study a cluster of Legionellosis in upper Manhattan after eight people were diagnosed with the disease during last seven days. The cluster is located in Lower Washington Heights and is primarily for people over 50, although some are under 40, Health Department officials said Wednesday

. Legionnaire's disease is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella that tends to grow in hot water.

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Cooling towers, spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water pipes and evaporative condensers in large air conditioning systems can be sources of Legionella growth

According to officials, those who breathe the water vapor that contains the bacteria can contract the disease.

Symptoms resemble other types of pneumonia and may include fever, chills, and muscle aches. According to the city's health department, most cases of legionnaires' disease can be attributed to plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for growth, such as cooling towers, hot tubs, hot tubs . s, humidifiers, hot water tanks and evaporative condensers of large air conditioning systems

Legionnaire's disease is not contagious and can easily be treated with antibiotics when it is detected early. Although the disease can not be transmitted from one person to another, the risk of contracting Legionnaires' disease is higher in people over 50, cigarette smokers and people with chronic lung diseases. or weakened immune systems

identified a cluster of legionellosis in the Lower Washington Heights area, "Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett said in a statement. "While most people exposed to legionellosis do not get sick, people aged 50 and older, especially those who smoke and suffer from chronic lung conditions, are at higher risk. This disease is very treatable with antibiotics. I invite all those who have symptoms of the disease to seek early care. "