Upper East Side no longer at elevated risk for Legionnaires' disease, NYC health commissioner says
East Village tenants rally for answers about Legionella discovery
Haven Plaza tenants say they have not been able to shower for two months after a positive test for Legionella in their water source. FOX 5 NY's Stephanie Bertini has the details.
New York - The New York City Health Department gave an update Friday morning on the Legionnaires' disease cluster on the Upper East Side, following the death of a seventh person who was infected.
What we know:
NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin announced there is no longer a high risk of getting infected, though the city still does not know the exact source of the outbreak.
"Today's a signigicant step within our investigation. As your doctor and on behalf of my colleagues in the health department who have worked tirelessly on this response, we announce that there's no longer an elevated risk of Legionnaires' disease for the Upper East Side zip codes of 10128, 10028 and 10075," Martin said.
Health officials said Legionnaires' has an incubation period of 14 days and that no new cases have been reported in two weeks.
The health department said it ordered 83 building owners to clean and disinfect their cooling towers after Legionella bacteria was detected, and that all of them have complied.
The backstory:
Martin confirmed the city's seventh Legionnaires' disease death on the Upper East Side on Thursday.
In its previous update, the health department also said five patients remained hospitalized and that 92 people had tested positive for Legionnaires' in connection to the cluster.
However, officials said they remained "confident the source of the Legionella bacteria has been eliminated," adding that it had been 10 days since the last new case was diagnosed.
7th person dies in connection to Legionnaires' cluster on UES
A seventh person has died in connection to the Upper East Side cluster of Legionnaires' disease.
Local perspective:
The city's update also came one day after tenants at an East Village housing complex demanded answers and action over Legionella bacteria that was found in their water system.
The tenants came together for a rally Thursday, saying they have not been able to shower for two months after a positive test for Legionella in the water source at Haven Plaza, an affordable housing complex. They said it was found following two confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease among Haven Plaza residents.
At Thursday's rally, the tenants also said the official information they've been getting about the situation has been unclear.
NYC health alert: Legionnaires outbreak grows as cyclospora concerns spread
New York City’s health commissioner joins Good Day New York with updates on two public health concerns: the Upper East Side Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, where 76 buildings have tested positive for Legionella bacteria, and a cyclospora illness linked to contaminated fruits and vegetables. Officials explain how people can be exposed, who is most at risk and what steps residents can take to stay safe.
What they're saying:
In a statement to FOX 5 NY, the Haven Plaza management team said they started a remediation program for Legionella this week, including implementing a full water treatment and disinfection plan.
"Our tenants have been directed to not shower or use hot water this entire summer," said Dana Cruz, president of the Haven Plaza Tenants Association.
"I think the tenants are confused with information on what's happening here versus information on what's happening on the Upper East Side," NYC Council Member Harvey Epstein said. "The tenants here are frustrated, and they're feeling like their health is at risk. They are feeling concerned, and we're here to ask the landlord and the city to work with us to do better."
"There are people across the city who are afraid and who are concerned," Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said. "When something like this happens, we need swift action, and clear and concise information."
"We love our neighborhood," said Kristin Ankuta, a Haven Plaza resident. "So, please give us the opportunity to take care of each other."
The Source: This article contains information from the New York City Department of Health, the Haven Plaza Tenants Association and reporting by FOX 5 New York.