Despite reassurances last week from the New York City Department of Health regarding two cases of Legionnaires’ disease within the past 12 months at Tracey Towers, DOH arrived again this week to disclose that two more cases of the potentially fatal disease were confirmed at the complex.
So far, the four cases have been contained to the 20 W. Mosholu Parkway N Tower with no cases at the adjoining 40 W Mosholu Parkway N according to the Norwood News.
Health officials are advising that tenants take precautions, particularly the elderly and those with compromised immune systems who are at greater risk to contract the disease.
Tenants are being advised to take baths instead of showers due to the fact that Legionnaires’ disease can be contracted through the mist and water vapor created while showering.
In the meantime, the Norwood News reports that shower heads are being replaced throughout the building as a safety measure.
This isn’t the first time that the deadly disease strikes The Bronx.
Back in August 2015, our borough was the epicenter of New York City’s largest outbreak of Legionnaires’ which infected 120 people and killed 12 in the Melrose/Morrisania area of the South Bronx.
The following month in September, 13 new cases were found, this time in the Morris Park section of The Bronx.
Two years later, 2017 was declared a record year for Legionnaires’ in New York City with a 38% increase over the previous year with with 1,009 reported cases.
In 2018 two separate clusters were reported: One in Co-op City which sickened 3 with one fatality and two cases in a NYCHA development in Kingsbridge with no reported fatalities.
We will keep an eye on this situation and report on any further developments.
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