News

New York Tops Country in Legionnaires’ Disease Cases

New York reported 1,009 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in 2017, the highest number of cases in the nation reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease (Alliance). New York, NY, reported 441 cases of Legionnaires’ disease last year, more than 40 percent of the state’s total, according to New York City Patch.

City and state officials attributed the increase to increased awareness, better testing, and more robust reporting. They believe aging populations and facilities may also play a role. The state Department of Health is regularly checking cooling towers and drinking water systems in hospitals and nursing homes. But the Alliance is calling on the state to stop the bacteria from entering buildings from public water systems in the first place.