A Large Community Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease Associated With a Cooling Tower in New York City, 2015

201769 citationsJournal Articlebronze Open Access

Authors

Don Weiss · New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Christopher Boyd · New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Jennifer L. Rakeman · New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Sharon K. Greene · New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Robert Fitzhenry · New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Trevor McProud · New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Abstract

A large outbreak of Legionnaires' disease caused by a cooling tower occurred in a medically vulnerable community. The outbreak prompted enactment of a new city law on the operation and maintenance of cooling towers. Ongoing surveillance and evaluation of cooling tower process controls will determine if the new law reduces the incidence of Legionnaires' disease in New York City.

Topics & Keywords

Legionella and Acanthamoeba research Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure Vibrio bacteria research studies

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

Publication Details

Published in: Public Health Reports

Volume 132, Issue 2, pp. 241-250

DOI: 10.1177/0033354916689620

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 8.87