Health officials hope the worst case of Legionnaires' outbreak in NYC is over

According to a statement from New York City's Department of Health, last Friday, there were no new deaths from Legionnaires' disease reported, while the frequency of people going to the emergency room for pneumonia was decreasing, MyFoxNY reported. In recent days, the city faced the worst outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the south of Bronx, which officials believe was already more than the latest numbers. The CDC deployed a team to NYC to help fight the outbreak.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - "We have fewer new cases, people are seeking care promptly and getting treatment promptly. We're optimistic that we've seen the worst of this outbreak, and that our remediation efforts are having an impact," said the NYC Health Commissioner, Dr.  Mary Bassett. Records say that 12 people have died from the disease, while more than 100 were diagnosed - the largest outbreak of the disease the city has ever seen.

Health officials explained that all patients who died were adults with other underlying health problems.

Reports last week stated that the outbreak stemmed from relatively new, large, on-residential commercial buildings, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Seventeen coolers were reportedly tested; coolers from five locations that tested positive on the legionella bacteria, that causes the illness, have been sanitized. The disease can be contracted through inhalation, although it can't be passed from human to human.

Until October, the state Department of Health will conduct free testing of cooling towers and evaporation condenser units where the bacteria can hide and thrive, said Governor Andrew Cuomo, according to MyFoxNY.

"If you live in the area and experience respiratory symptoms, such as fever, cough, chills and muscle aches, seek medical attention right away," said the officials.

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