3 Cases Of Legionnaires’ Disease Confirmed At Senior Building In Newark
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – Health officials in Newark are investigating a suspected outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at an apartment building for senior citizens.
Three cases have been confirmed at the building on Nevada Court.
The owner told CBS2’s Aundrea Cline-Thomas he bought the building last month and was contacted by the health department Wednesday. He plans to hold an emergency meeting with residents around 1 p.m. Friday.
Legionnaires’ is a type of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria. It can be contracted by inhaling water vapor that contains the bacteria and is treatable with antibiotics. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches and cough.
The health department recommends people over the age of 50 – especially smokers and those with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems – contact their doctor and the follow these additional steps:
“Consider taking a bath instead of a shower, since a shower could create a water mist. Try to minimize your time in the bathroom while the tub is filling.
It is fine to brush your teeth, wash your hands, or wash dishes, but fill the sink slowly to avoid creating mist.
It is fine to drink cold water from the tap but start with cold water when heating water for tea, coffee, or cooking. You cannot get Legionnaires’ disease by drinking water.”
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May 03, 2019 at 08:27PM
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