Currently, there is a severe outbreak of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ Disease in the South Bronx and the death toll has increased to 7, as of August 4, 2015. With more than 80 people diagnosed since this July, concerns are growing about how this potentially deadly bacteria is spread, as well as how to control it.
Bio Recovery is a Biohazard and Disease Cleanup Company based in New York that has the training, certifications, procedure, equipment, and chemicals to remediate this devastating bacteria that thrives in water sources and has already been discovered in multiple locations around the Bronx, New York.
The City of New York is Aware
Legionnaires’ Disease is attracting much attention in the Bronx and surrounding New York areas, and for good reason. Last night there was a town hall meeting overflowing with worried locals wanting their questions addressed about Legionnaires’ Disease.
And today the Mayor, Bill de Blasio of New York, is speaking at Lincoln hospital about this outbreak and new preventative measures being made. Something needs to be done, not only to remove the current harmful levels of this bacteria in South Bronx, New York but also to prevent this bacteria from rapidly spreading in the future.
Bio Recovery can effectively control this water thriving bacteria and ensure safety is again restored to the water in your residence, business, hospital, retail store, industrial building, and the public locations surrounding them.
Before we discuss the details of our Legionella Organism Remediation process, we would like to inform you of the bacteria, the disease it can cause, risk factors, and symptoms of Legionnaires Disease.
What is the Cause of Legionnaires’ Disease?
The cause of Legionnaires Disease, also known as Legionellosis, is an organism called Legionella. This lethal bacteria that is overwhelming the Southern Bronx is known to be one of the top three causes of sporadic, community-acquired pneumonia.
Interestingly enough, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ Disease is naturally occurring and traces can be found in rivers, lakes, and streams but with the right environment, it can spread rapidly, overcome a water source and be fatal to nearby occupants.
How Is Legionnaires’ Disease Spread?
Fortunately, this disease is not known to spread from infected persons. However, because this is a water-borne bacteria, it can likely contaminate entire buildings and threaten all occupants and others in close proximity.
Legionnaires’ Disease is contracted by inhaling water droplets that contain the bacteria with it. This could be inhaling the mist put out by a building’s HVAC system or through aspiration, a common term to describe what happens when water (in this instance) goes down the “wrong pipe” and is breathed into the airways, instead of going to the digestive tract.
Aspiration is now thought to be the main mode of infection for this disease, therefore increasing the need for adequate and educated protocol when disinfecting a property.
Common Risk Factors for Legionnaires ’ Disease?
Perhaps some good news is that not everyone is at a high risk of developing this form of Pneumonia. Usually, the most severe cases of Legionnaires’ Disease developed in those who:
- Smoke
- Have an Immune System Disorder
- Have Chronic Lung Disease
- Are Diabetic
- Consume Corticosteroid Medications
- Are Over 50 Years Old
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease
The incubation period after first coming in contact with the bacteria is 2 – 10 days. The symptoms start as though it were the flu, with many of the exposed have a high fever, exhaustion, achy, within just a few days a severe cough develops accompanied by mucus; this is also commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath and headaches.
This illness comes on fast but a potent antibiotic treatment is very effective; although there are reports of fatigue, even several months after hospital discharge. If Legionnaires’ Disease is not treated or a person has other significant health issues, the results can range from hospitalization, coma, and even death – which unfortunately New York has seen too much of within these past weeks.
Where are the Legionnaires’ Disease-Causing Bacteria Found?
In the Bronx, specifically, high levels of this bacteria have been traced to positive test results in 5 out of 17 air conditioning cooling towers, but the official source of the outbreak and a large amount of exposure has not been especially pinpointed.
Potential Locations harboring dangerous amounts of Legionnaires’ Disease-Causing Bacteria within Commercial, Residential, Retail, Hospitals, Hotels/Motels, Industrial and any other Buildings:
- Bathrooms
- Sinks
- Showers
- Drinking Fountains
- Ice Machines
- HVAC
- Humidifiers
- Refrigeration Condensers
- Air Conditioners
- Hot Water Tanks
- Water Holding Tanks
- Pools
- Hot Tubs
- Entire Building Water Sources
Bio Recovery is Experienced in New York Disease Decontamination
As a New York Professional Biohazard Remediation Company, we go beyond the regulations put forth by OSHA, CDC, New York City Health Department, and many other regulatory health agencies.
Our Biohazard Technicians specify in this type of work. When the US was faced with the Ebola Outbreak, Bio Recovery was the company that decontaminated the apartment of Dr. Craig Spencer.
This type of work is not new to us and our licensed and certified team has the specific protocol put in place to guarantee remediation of harmful Legionella organisms that is plaguing the public of Southern Bronx, New York.
Bio Recovery’s Disease Disinfecting Process for Legionella
The first process in remediating this bacteria is testing for traces within all the locations in a property listed above.
If the water testing confirms a presence of this bacteria our process includes the drainage and flushing of any water tanks and the sanitation of the actual tanks, as well as the sanitation of areas that have been exposed to constant moisture.
Large buildings with complex plumbing are very susceptible to a buildup of the bacteria and all potential bacteria spreading locations need to be sanitized.
Our process includes a mix of oxidizing agents, biocides, and other Biohazard Industrial Specific Protocols to ensure contaminate-free water for the location in need.
If you are a store, home, apartment building, office, industrial location, hospital, hotel, motel, or an owner of any other type of location in South Bronx, New York – do everyone a favor and contact Bio Recovery for Immediate Legionella Testing and Bacteria Decontamination at 1-888-752-5001.