Last summer in NYC there was an outbreak of Legionnaires\' Disease. Since summer
ID: 1218527 • Letter: L
Question
Last summer in NYC there was an outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease. Since summer is upon us our first discussion board will be about this topic. 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?
Explanation / Answer
LEGIONNAIRES IS A DISEASE CAUSED BY THE BACTERIA LEGIONELLA. THE BACTERIA LIVES VERY WELL AND GROWS IN WARM WATER. THE HOT SEASON DURING JUNE WAS A PERFECT TIME FOR THE BACTERIA. THE COOLING TOWERS IN THE CITY USED FOR AIR CONDITIONING CONTAINS THE WARM WATER IN GOOD QUANTITIES. IT WAS THIS WARM WATER AND HOT TEMPERATURES THAT CAUSED THE ABNORMAL GROWTH OF BACTERIA. THE MIST USED AS SPRAYING ON THE TOWERS WAS CONTAMINATED WITH THE BACTERIA. PEOPLE PASSING THROUGH THAT AREA INHALED THE MIST AND CAUGHT THE DISEASE.
THE SOURCE WAS FOUND IN THE COOLING TOWER OF THE OPERA HOUSE HOTEL IN THE SOUTH BRONX AREA. THIS AREA IS HOUSE FOR MANY OLD AND ELDERLY PEOPLE. THIS BACTERIA IF INHALED DOES NO CAUSE HARM TO THE PEOPLE BUT PEOPLE WITH WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM. CHAIN SMOKERS AND ALREADY ILL PERSONS ARE SEVERELY AFFECTED BY THE DISEASES. THE FACILITY WAS FOLLOWING ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITIES. EVEN AFTER THIS THE BACTERIA WAS FOUND. THE HOTEL WORKED IN TANDEM WITH THE HEALTH AUTHORITIES AND THE BACTERIA WAS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.
THE OUTBREAK STARTED ON JUNE 10 AND LASTED UP TO AROUND AUGUST 3. AFTER THIS DATE THE OUTBREAK WANE DOWN AND NO NEW CASES WERE REPORTED.
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