Legionnaire's Disease Outbreak 2015: New York City Gets 'Unusual Increase' of Legionella Cases in South Bronx

New York City health officials are investigating the rising numbers of Legionnaire cases in South Bronx, New York. According to  CBS Local, 31 cases of the disease have already been reported in that area. 

Health commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said the rising number of cases are disconcerting, since officials have observed an "unusual increase" in the people affected with the bacteria. 

Basset goes on to explain: "We are conducting a swift investigation to determine the source of the outbreak and prevent future cases. I urge anyone with symptoms to seek medical attention right away."

Mayor Bill de Blasio echoed the commissioner's words, adding: "Thank God this is a disease that can be treated, and the important thing is early detection."

In addition, officials are investigating the deaths of two people who were diagnosed with the disease. However, it is still unclear if the two deaths were caused by Legionnaire's or by other factors. 

A large amount of Legionnaire cases are located in the Mott Haven, High Bridge, Morrisania and Hunts Point areas of the Bronx, states CBS Local.

The disease is caused by bacteria named Legionella, which first surfaced in 1976 at the American Legion state convention in Philadelphia, reports USA Today. Several men who attended the convention was struck by the disease and died.

Mayo Clinic describes Legionnaire's disease as a severe form of pneumonia, which can cause lung inflammation through infection. A person infected with Legionnaire's disease may also exhibit flu-like symptoms caused by Pontiac fever.

Symptoms of the disease, which surface within two to 10 days of contamination, include: headache, muscle pain, chills, and high fever reaching 104 degrees fahrenheit. The disease may also start to affect a person's mental state by the second or third day.

Other symptoms that may surface on the second or third day, include: cough accompanied with either mucus or blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

According to Pix 11, the bacteria infects people through water and plumbing systems, such as cooling towers, large air-conditioning units and hot water tanks. People become infected after inhaling the vapors of the contaminated water.

Fortunately, Legionella can not be spread through contact. Additionally, the disease can be easiy treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

A previous outbreak of Legionnaire's occured this January in Co-op City, reports Pix 11. The Legionella bacteria was discovered in the cooling water in that area. 

Another case of Legionnaire's took the brother of John Rouse, back in April. According to Rouse, his family actually went to the Department of Health at the time asking for an investigation, which was denied. 

Rouse suspects that his brother's death might be linked to the current outbreak seen in the Bronx area of New York, reports CBS Local. 

However, the outbreak in Co-op City nor the death of Rouse's brother has not been linked to the current outbreak of the disease.