Deadly bacterial outbreak infects dozens in city neighborhood as officials sound alarm

A total of 58 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella. 

Two people have died, the NYC Health Department confirmed in an August 4 news release.

However, it can grow and spread indoors via shower heads, sink faucets, hot tubs, water features/fountains, plumbing systems and other water systems where conditions are favorable for the Legionella bacteria to grow, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

When people swallow or breathe in droplets of water that contain Legionella, they can potentially become ill with Legionnaires' disease.

In the case of the New York City outbreak, the health department directed the state to perform remediation for 11 cooling towers that tested positive for the bacteria.

Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease usually show up between two and 14 days after exposure. 

Some patients may also experience nausea, diarrhea and confusion, the CDC noted. 

"The nature of the symptoms is not necessarily what differentiates Legionella from other causes, but history of exposure from 'human-made reservoirs,' though this may be hard to discern early on in infection and/or in an outbreak," said Goodyear.

Groups at highest risk include smokers, people 50 and older, those with chronic lung disease and people who are immunocompromised, according to health officials.

Diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease is made via chest X-ray, urine test and lab analysis of a phlegm sample.

Most people with the disease will recover with a course of antibiotics.

Around 10% of people who contract Legionnaires' disease will die from those complications - and the mortality risk rises to 25% for those who get Legionnaires' while staying in a healthcare facility.

Antibiotics that are appropriate for Legionella infection include Levofloxacin and Azithromycin. 

Currently, there are no vaccines for Legionnaires' disease. 

The best strategy to prevent infection is to reduce the growth and spread of the Legionella bacteria.

The CDC recommends that building owners and managers use a water management program to reduce the risk.