2 sickened with Legionnaires’ at Bronx apartment complex, evaluation underway

New York health officials are investigating a Bronx apartment complex after two residents were tested positive for legionaries’ disease.

The City Health Department began an assessment of Parkchester North condominiums after declaring that two residents were tested positive for legionaries in the 10 months.

Legionella bacteria are developing in the building’s hot water system and were identified after the managers investigated the building engineering systems, New York health service said in a press release.

The department said that it was working with the building for “in -depth repair”, which can last for months or years. In the meantime, the health service said that it had provided recommendations to residents on how to use water supply safely while reducing their risk of contracting legionaries.

On the other side of the Harlem river, at least six people died and more than 100 people were recently overshadowed by a legionaries cluster who tormented the region this summer.

A trial brought last week alleged that a pair of construction companies cut the corners and caused an “completely preventable” epidemic of the legionaries’ disease in Harlem.

The legionaries, a type of pneumonia, are caused by the Legionella bacteria, which grows in lukewarm water. Symptoms generally appear between two and 10 days after exposure to bacteria and may include headache, muscle pain, shortness of breath, cough and fever.

It is not transmitted from one person to another and is treatable with antibiotics, say health officials.