2 dead, 38 sickened with Legionnaires' disease
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Legionnaires' disease is a "serious type of pneumonia."
Westchester County health officials responded to the rise of Legionnaires' disease cases on Wednesday, though some say their announcement was delayed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Legionnaires' disease is a "serious type of pneumonia."
The bacteria that causes it, grows in warm, stagnant water in places like cooling towers and other man-made water systems.
Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler says the county has 561 total cooling towers, which are tested every 90 days.
So far, it is still unknown where people contracted the disease.
"We have no idea where the individuals have contracted the legionella. We have not been able to identify a case to a specific cooling tower, and we've had no specific tight clusters," said Dr. Amler.
On Wednesday, attorney Ronald Katter, with The Katter Law Firm, questioned the county's "disturbing delay" in announcing the recent cases of Legionnaires' disease.
Katter says the public should have been told about all of the cases sooner.
"Ten percent of Legionnaire cases result in fatalities, so it's a very serious illness. You would think that the Health Department would want to get the word out," Katter said.
Doctors say people should seek medical help if they develop a severe cough, fever or have difficulty breathing.
