Question

There have been several outbreaks of Legionnaires' Disease. Legionnaires' Disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria (legionella) that grow in warm water. Discuss how local officials, the health department, the mayor's office, handled the outbreak. Discuss the following questions: What factors may have caused this problem? What was identified as the source of the outbreak? Who is at risk for the disease? How long did the outbreak in NYC last? need a reference

Answer 1

Legionnaires's disease

Legionnaires's disease is a severe form of Pneumonia , caused by Legionnellla bacteria. It is characterised by chills, fever, cough, bloody sputum, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting.

1. How the authorities handled the out break:

The ' Department of Health' of the City initiated active investigation about the causes and sources. Inspectors of each area of City, collected water samples from different buildings and water systems. City health commissioner, Deputy Commissioner of disease control, City Council Members were involved in active control of disease, they conducted press meetings and encouraged the people for early medical care, and they discussed about the causes , number of affected people and about the prevention. Treatment of around 20 cooling - tower system have been done by the disease control department.

  

2. Factors, that caused the problem :

* Causative agent of Legionnaires's disease is Legionella Pneumophilia.( it can multiply in warm water, or man made water system such as hot tubs and air conditioners.)

* Mode of transmission: Inhalation of aerosolized water droplets and soil particles, contaminated with bacteria.There is no person to person transmission.

The main sources of bacteria are humidifiers, hot water tank and hot tubs, cooling towers, whirlpool spas and condensers, air conditioning units etc.

Identified source of the outbreak : Cooling towers, contaminated with bacteria .

3. Risk factors of the disease:

* Middle aged and older people

* Children

* Smoking

* People, who are suffering with chronic lung disease

* Immuno - compromised patients

4. How long the outbreak:

Several outbreak of Legionnaires's disease have been reported from NYC. Usually the duration of outbreak in each year was 1.5 months to 2 months.

Reference:

1. Pay battle. 4 New York. May. 2019.

2. Zoe Greenberg. ' Legionnaires' disease Sickens 11 ' .The New York Times. July 12. 2018.

nytimes.com/2018/07/12/nyregion/legionnaires-disease-nyc.html.