Information and Resources Regarding Infection Control of Legionella
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has provided information and resources regarding infection control of Legionella. Health care providers have been advised to:
- Test for Legionella when evaluating those who may have community acquired pneumonia that live in, work in, or visit the South Bronx area; and
- Promptly report cases DOHMH; report immediately any laboratory-confirmed or suspected cases of Legionella infection to the Health Department by telephone. To report a case and for information about Legionella, please call 866-NYC-DOH1 (1-866-692-3641). You may also report via NYCMED here.
On July 29, 2015, DOHMH released Health Alert #21: Increase in Legionnaires’ Disease in The Bronx and on August 2, 2015 DOHMH releasedHealth Alert #24: UPDATE: Clinical Management of Respiratory Illness in the South Bronx As of Aug. 7, 2015, the number of Legionellalaboratory reports in South Bronx residents had increased to 100 since July 10. At this time, there have been 10 deaths reported in patients with Legionnaires' disease in those neighborhoods. A Commissioner's Order has been issued requiring evaluation and treatment of cooling towers throughout the city. Members in the Bronx and nearby areas are enouraged to read the Health Alerts and share it with appropriate members of your team. Please contact NYC Emergency Management Health and Medical team at HealthMedicalList@oem.nyc.gov with any questions or concerns. To sign up for the Health Alert Network (HAN), click here.
Additionally, NYS DOH will provide free Legionella testing through October, click here for more information.
Below are a variety of resources that may be helpful.
- NYDSOH Legionnaires’ Disease Guidance
- Environmental Health Information Related to Legionellosis in Healthcare Facilities
- Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults
- Epidemiology and clinical management of Legionnaires’ disease
- Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities
- Guidelines for Preventing Health-Care Associated Pneumonia, 2003
- Cooling Tower Information
LeadingAge New York will share more information as we learn it, and we encourage members in the affected region to participate in calls and webinars with NYC DOHMH and NYS DOH as they are scheduled to ensure you have the most current information.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828