Will other Staten Island apartment buildings be tested after Legionnaires’ cases in St. George?

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City’s Health Department said Wednesday that neighbors of a building with a pair of confirmed Legionnaires’ Disease cases shouldn’t be concerned.

However, officials stopped short of saying whether other Staten Island apartment buildings will be evaluated for the harmful bacteria.

A spokesperson for department said there is “no risk” to the surrounding community after the city found Legionella bacteria last month in the Castleton Park Apartments in St. George following two confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ Disease at the complex.

“We are evaluating the hot water system at an apartment complex in Staten Island after two residents were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease,” the spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement. “While Legionella bacteria has been confirmed, it is important to note that there is no risk to the surrounding community.”

“It is okay to drink the building’s tap water, but Castleton Park Apartments residents should follow the Health Department’s recommendations for safe water use. Remediation is underway and the Health Department will continue to provide residents with updates and guidance,” the statement continued.

The department is currently conducting a building evaluation focused on the apartment complex’s internal hot water system.

A Health Department spokesperson would not say whether other Staten Island buildings would be tested, but noted that the city is only performing a building evaluation, not a community cluster investigation.

Despite the lack of a community cluster investigation, officials reiterated that there is no indication of risk to the surrounding community.

The agency first notified residents of the building Sept. 28 of the positive Legionella test, but that information didn’t come to the general public’s attention until Tuesday.

There have been no other cases or positive tests on Staten Island reported by the city apart from the Castleton Park Apartments building at 185 St. Marks Place.

Following news of the Staten Island Legionnaires’ cases, Borough President Vito Fossella called on the city to take immediate preventative measures, including cleaning the building’s water system, saying delays could put additional residents at risk.

“To prolong this essential measure may needlessly risk more people getting sick,” Fossella said.

About Legionnaires’ disease

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by breathing in small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria and is not generally spread from person to person. Most people exposed to the bacteria do not become sick.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Legionella bacteria can be found naturally in freshwater bodies and can grow in buildings’ plumbing and water distribution systems.

Showerheads, sink faucets, and humidifiers can create spray, or small droplets, that can release bacteria into the air, according to the federal agency.

Scientists named the Legionella bacterium after an outbreak in Philadelphia in 1976 at an American Legion convention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Legionnaires’ disease can be serious and those experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches or cough, especially higher-risk groups, should seek medical attention right away.

Higher-risk groups include those age 50 or older, those who smoke or vape and those with chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system.

Guidance for building residents

The Health Department is providing guidance to residents of the Castleton Park Apartments, including that they can continue to drink cold water from the tap.

Those at greater risk are asked to limit exposure to water vapor by not showering and opting instead to take a warm bath and to fill the tub slowly.

Additionally, Andrea Howard, deputy commissioner of disease control for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, told residents in a letter that it is okay to wash hands so long as the water is permitted to flow slowly. When heating water for tea, coffee or cooking, residents are asked to start with cold water.

Those residents with questions can leave a message with the NYC Health Department at 347-396-4161 or communityaffairs@health.nyc.gov with your name and contact information.

Visit nyc.gov/legionnaires for more information on Legionnaires’ disease and building evaluations.