New York Daily News

Legionnair­e bug hits 12 in Flushing

- Reuven Blau

AT LEAST a dozen people have contracted Legionnair­es’ disease in Flushing, Queens, according to the city Health Department.

The majority of those patients, have “serious underlying health conditions,” according to the de Blasio administra­tion. They range in age from early 30s to late 80s.

Five people remain hospitaliz­ed, two cases are being reviewed, and seven others have been discharged. No one has died, city officials said.

Legionnair­es’ disease causes high fevers and serious respirator­y ailments. It is not contagious through personal contact but is commonly spread through the air.

The disease can be treated using antibiotic­s for pneumonia. But it can be fatal for people with compromise­d immune systems.

In 2015, the largest and deadliest outbreak in the city killed a dozen New Yorkers and sickened another 127 in the South Bronx. The de Blasio administra­tion was criticized for failing to check all the cooling towers in the area.

On Tuesday, health officials said they have “sampled all cooling towers in the investigat­ion zone,” which is downtown Flushing.

There are between 200 to 400 Legionnair­es’ disease cases in New York City each year.

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