New York City officials said that water systems were safe for drinking and showering after an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.The New York City Health Department put the total number of infected at 14 on Sunday, and it expanded the area of infection. The disease isn’t spread through person-to-person contact but rather the inhalation of contaminated water aerosols. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Sunday that home water systems are safe to use.
“This is not an issue with any buildings’ plumbing or indoor AC units, and residents in the area are safe to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, and use their air conditioner at home,” Mamdani said in a post on X.
Past outbreaks were linked to the disease spreading through mist from cooling towers. Testing of water-cooling towers across the city began during the July Fourth weekend and is ongoing, the mayor said.New York City Health Commissioner Alister Martin said that cases are likely to rise as more people are tested.WHO DECLARES HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK OVER AS LAST PATIENT FINISHES QUARANTINELegionnaires’ disease can be fatal, and symptoms include a high fever, muscle aches, shortness of breath, and confusion.The disease is named after the epicenter of its first identifiable outbreak — a 1976 American Legion conference in Philadelphia, where more than 100 people were infected and more than 20 died.
