One person has died and a total of five people have been sickened in what New York City health officials are calling a “likely community cluster” of Legionnaires’ disease in the Bronx.<\/p>\n
Health officials say results are pending on additional possible cases.<\/p>\n
According to health officials, the cases have been reported in the Melrose and Morrisania sections of the South Bronx within the ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.<\/p>\n
Anyone who lives, works or spends time in the affected area and develops flu-like symptoms should contact a healthcare provider immediately.<\/p>\n
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by live Legionella bacteria, which grow in warm water. Health officials say it’s usually spread through water vapor from cooling towers.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Health Commisioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said samples have been taken from all cooling towers in the affected area and are being tested for the bacteria.<\/p>\n
At a virtual meeting Thursday, health officials said it’s unclear, at this time, when those who were sickened were exposed to the bacteria.<\/p>\n
Community outreach will begin Friday to make residents aware of the likely cluster and connect them to resources, health officials say. The health department will also host a virtual town hall Sunday at 3 p.m.<\/p>\n
Legionnaires’ can be treated with antibiotics when caught early, but people over the age of 50, smokers and immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk, according to health officials.<\/p>\n
This comes after 11 people died<\/a> and nearly 100 were sickened in a Legionnaires’ disease cluster on the Upper East Side this summer. The exact source of that outbreak has not yet been determined.<\/p>\n In August, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation<\/a> strengthening inspections on New York City cooling towers, and earlier this month, city officials said they wanted to expand oversight<\/a> of cooling towers.<\/p>\n \n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n