Source: http://patch.com, August 11, 2015
By: Simone Wilson

The growing list of infected buildings apparently includes one in Manhattan.

Twelve New Yorkers have now died and 113 have been infected in the worst Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in NYC history, the mayor announced yesterday.
And now that the city’s 2,000-plus water-cooling towers are undergoing mandatory testing for the Legionella bacteria, the list of infected buildings is rising, too.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the original outbreak zone has been expanded to include the following buildings.

• Concourse Plaza, 198 E. 161st. St.
• Opera House Hotel, 436 E. 149 St.
• Lincoln Hospital, 234 E. 149th St.
• Streamline Plastics, 2950 Park Ave.
• Daughters of Jacob Nursing Home, 1160 Teller Ave.
• Post Office, 558 Grand Concourse
• Verizon, 117 E. 167th St.
• Bronx Housing Courts, 1118 Grand Concourse
• NYC Department of Education 455 Southern Boulevard. Also called Samuel Gompers High School.
• DHS PATH Intake Center, 151 East 151st Street.
• Bronx Hall of Justice, 245 E 161ST Street

An additional seven buildings outside the outbreak zone have also tested positive, says the governor’s office.
However, the exact locations of only four of those seven buildings have been released. One of them — 230 East 123rd Street — appears to be located in Manhattan.

• Verizon, 1106 Hoe Ave.
• Police Dept., 1086 Simpson St.
• 1201 Lafayette Ave.
• 230 East 123rd St.

We’ve contacted Cuomo’s office and the NYC Department of Health (DOH) for more information on what New Yorkers should do if they’ve been inside or nearby any of these locations.
In the meantime, here is an FAQ sheet on Legionnaire’s disease issued by the DOH.

What is legionellosis?
Legionellosis is a bacterial disease which may cause pneumonia. Fewer than 100 cases are reported each year in upstate New York. Most cases occur as single isolated events. Outbreaks are relatively rare.
Why is it called legionellosis?
An outbreak of this disease in Philadelphia in 1976, largely among people attending a state convention of the American Legion, led to the name “Legionnaires’ Disease.” Subsequently, the bacterium causing the illness was named Legionella pneumophila and the name of the illness was changed to legionellosis.
Is this a new disease?
No. The bacterium was first identified in 1976, but earlier cases have been confirmed as far back as 1947.
How widespread is legionellosis?
It is estimated that about 25,000 people develop legionellosis in the United States each year. An additional unknown number are infected with the Legionella bacterium and have mild symptoms or no illness at all. Cases occur sporadically and in outbreaks. Outbreaks occur most often in the summer but cases occur all year round.
How severe is the illness?
Legionellosis can be a mild respiratory illness or it can be severe enough to cause death. From 10 to 40 percent of healthy adults have antibodies showing previous exposure to the organism, but only a small percentage have a history of previous pneumonia.
Where are Legionella found?
Legionella exist naturally in water and moist soil. They have been found in creeks and ponds, hot and cold water taps, hot water tanks, water in air conditioning cooling towers and evaporative condensers, and soil at excavation sites.
How is legionellosis spread?
The disease appears to be spread through the air from a soil or water source. All studies to date have shown that person-to-person spread does not occur.
Who gets legionellosis?
People of any age can get legionellosis but the disease most often affects the elderly. People with underlying illnesses such as cancer or those with lowered immune system resistance to disease are also at higher risk. It rarely occurs in otherwise healthy people.
What are the usual symptoms of legionellosis?
The early symptoms of legionellosis may be flu-like with muscle aches, headache, tiredness and dry cough followed by high fever, chills and occasionally diarrhea. Temperatures commonly reach 102-105 degrees Fahrenheit and chest X-rays often show pneumonia.
How soon do symptoms occur/appear?
The incubation period for legionellosis ranges from two to 10 days, but is usually five to six days.
What is the treatment for legionellosis?
Antibiotics such as erythromycin, levaquin or azithromycin appear to be effective in treating the disease.