NEW YORK (Sputnik) — New York City authorities are inspecting the cooling towers in the area of South Bronx following the deaths of two patients who contracted Legionnaire’s disease, New York Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said in a press conference on Thursday.
“We have been testing cooling towers in the area, these are usually on the roofs of commercial buildings,” Bassett said. “We have done testing on the total of 20 locations.”
On Wednesday, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced it would investigate 31 cases of Legionnaire’s disease that have been reported since July 10, 2015. The disease spreads through contaminated mist.
Bassett noted that the outbreak is localized in the South Bronx area, and the authorities are working to identify locations and evaluate cooling towers that help spread the disease.
The city officials underscored that New York’s water supply remains intact and most residents are not at risk of contracting the disease.
“This is a very treatable disease, treatable with common antibiotics,” Bassett added.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommended that New Yorkers who experience symptoms as such as fever, cough, chills and muscle aches should immediately seek medical help.
