Manhattan (PIX11) — It’s been more than two weeks since the first cases of Legionnaires’ disease started to appear on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. As of Saturday, more than 50 people were diagnosed with the disease, at least 22 of whom have been <a href="https://healthylife7.com/michigans-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-grows-to-more-than-1500-cases-44-hospitalized/” title=”Michigan's cyclosporiasis outbreak grows to more than 1,500 cases, 44 hospitalized”>hospitalized
The city has zeroed in on 31 locations across the Upper East Side that tested positive for Legionella bacteria. All of them were expected to be cleaned out by the end of the weekend. Still, neighbors had concerns
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“The city just seems to move a little too slowly for my comfort and I know people are getting sick,” said one Upper East Side resident
People can become infected by breathing in contaminated water mist. That’s why buildings with cooling towers are at the center of the investigations. The city has tested more than 180 towers across three zip codes in the neighborhood
Doctors are warning about the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, especially because it takes some time between coming in contact with the bacteria and actually showing signs of infection
“From the time of exposure to the Legionella bacteria to developing symptoms, it can take anywhere from two to 14 days to show symptoms of the infection. So on average, it’s about five to six days for most people,” says Dr. Deena Gupta-Adimoolam, MD
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Health officials say the risk to the general public is still low, but people should stay alert to possible symptoms, especially older adults, smokers or people with compromised immune systems
Those symptoms can include fevers, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty with breathing, muscle aches and pains, and feeling very tired
City officials say tests will continue and that they will keep watching for new cases as they look into how the outbreak started
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