By: Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease
CDC Data Shows 128 Reported Cases in Past Three Weeks
On Pace to Hit Nearly 1200 Cases in 2018, Outpacing 2017 Record
New Yorkers continue to contract Legionnaires’ disease at a record-setting pace. Data recently released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than 128 cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported across New York State within the past three weeks. In fact, during the same period of time, 348 cases were reported throughout the entire country. New York accounted for 37 percent of the nationwide cases.
“The citizens of New York should demand that each case be thoroughly investigated to help identify the root source and for comprehensive ‘source to tap’ solutions to be implemented,” said Brad Considine, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease.
New York water systems are not specifically tested for Legionella bacteria and cases of Legionnaires’ disease that are not part of a building (two or more cases) or neighborhood outbreak are not investigated. In addition, New York City is one of only a handful of water systems in the nation that receives a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency allowing the City to avoid filtering most of its drinking water.
2018 year-to-date totals of Legionnaires’ disease cases across New York State continue to climb; outpacing the record-high totals experienced in 2017, and other recent years per CDC data presented in the graph below.
“The explosive increase in Legionnaires’ cases demonstrates that there is a greater need to monitor and treat the public water system to keep Legionella bacteria out of the homes and workplaces of New Yorkers,” said Tonya Winders, President and CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network.
“New York regulations focused solely on building equipment have had no impact on reducing the rate of Legionnaires,” added Considine. “Solving this perennial problem is going to take a proactive and system-wide approach. We stand ready to help develop solutions that prevent future infections.”
I live in Tampa Florida. I became ill in May 2017. After arriving at the hospital I was diagnosed with legionnaire disease and a fever of 107. I almost died. I was told by the department of health that studies show it comes from hot tubs and tap water. I later learned that a woman in my complex also had legionnaire disease as well. I was admitted on May 13 and she was admitted on May 16. We both had been in our complex hot tub. After learning of each other’s hospitalizations some research was done. The department of health told her there were no other cases reported in the area. Both of our cases were reported. Our complex has 350units and are unaware of others living here if any others contacted the disease and don’t know about us. Ironically, after we contacted the board of health, our pool was shut down for a couple of days. Now I hear there have been two reported cases this past week in pinellas county here in Florida. What does all
Of this mean?