Rockland Officials Watching Local Legionnaires' Disease Cases

Given three recent cases of Leagionnaires’ Disease, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert want to educate residents about the notorious illness.

“In Rockland County, we have identified three cases of Legionella infection since July 2015. One of these cases is associated with the New York City outbreak and the other two are sporadic cases with no links to New York City or each other. Sporadic cases are not unusual,” said county spokesman Scott Salotto.

Chromalloy Gas Tribune Corporation in Orangeburg sent workers home Friday and cleaned its heating and cooling systems after an employee was diagnosed with the dangerous disease, which has also sickened 100 in The Bronx.

SEE: Legionnaires Case Reported in Rockland; Bronx Death Toll at 10

The county health department has sent letters to doctors about the symptoms and treatment, and to business owners about inspection of hot and cold water systems where the bacteria tend to grow.

“Legionnaires’ disease (or Legionellosis) is a type of pneumonia,” Ruppert said. “It is not contagious and is not spread from person to person. People only get sick by breathing in water vapor containing bacteria (for example by inhaling contaminated mist from faucets, showers, whirlpools or cooling towers). People who are sick with Legionella cannot make others sick. The Health Department is closely monitoring the situation here in Rockland and is in contact with state health officials as well.”

As part of the Health Department’s efforts to outreach to the community, letters have been sent to local providers and businesses. Correspondence to physicians include information on symptoms, testing and treatment. Letters to the business owners include information on inspection and maintenance of hot and cold water systems, which include cooling towers.

Most healthy individuals do not become infected with Legionella bacteria after exposure. People at higher risk of getting sick are those 50 years of age or older, current or former smokers, those with a chronic lung disease (like COPD or emphysema), those with a weak immune system from diseases like cancer, diabetes, or kidney failure, and people who take drugs that suppress (weaken) the immune system (like after a transplant operation or chemotherapy).

Legionnaires’ disease can present as a flu-like illness and then have symptoms similar to pneumonia (a lung infection). Signs of Legionnaires’ disease can include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle aches, and headaches. These symptoms usually begin 2 to 10 days after being exposed to the bacteria. If you feel ill and have a reason to suspect Legionnaires’ (such as exposure to known areas of concern), please consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have a medical condition that affects your breathing, like emphysema, or if you are a smoker. Legionnaires’ disease requires treatment with antibiotics and most cases of Legionnaires’ disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Those individuals who have traveled to an area of concern are advised to monitor their symptoms.

For additional information about Legionnaires’ disease visit the New York State Department of Health website at:https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/legionellosis/