If you've been following the news lately, you may have heard about a recent outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in New York City. While this can sound alarming, there's no need to panic. In this post, we'll explain this disease in simple terms and share what you can do to protect yourself. Understanding the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City. What Exactly Is Legionnaires' Disease? Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia (a lung infection) caused by a type of bacteria called "Legionella." This bacteria is commonly found in fresh water sources like lakes, rivers, and streams. The concern arises when this bacteria grows in man-made water systems found in buildings, such as: Cooling towers (used in large air conditioning systems) Fountains Swimming pools and hot tubs Large plumbing systems When these bacteria spread into the air as tiny droplets (mist or vapor), and a person inhales these contaminated droplets, they can develop Legionn...
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