LEVITTOWN, N.Y. (1010 WINS) -- A Legionnaires’ disease cluster on Long Island has killed one person and sickened nine others, health officials said Thursday.
A total of 10 cases of Legionnaires’ have been found within a one-mile radius on the Levittown-Wantagh border.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced the cluster, near Wantagh Avenue and Old Country Road, on Thursday night.
All cases were found in October and are under investigation
A health official told Newsday that one person died, two remained hospitalized and seven were hospitalized but have since been discharged.
Health officials reminded residents that clusters are caused by the bacteria Legionella, which is found naturally in the environment and transmitted via aerosolized water.
People can get Legionnaires’ disease when breathing in mist of vapor containing the bacteria, most often from cooling towers, fountains, spray parks, hot tubs, spas, showers or faucets, health officials said. It cannot be spread person-to-person.
Signs of Legionnaires’ include a cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle aches and headaches. They symptoms begin 2-10 days after bacteria exposure.
Antibiotic treatment follows a positive case, and most end up being treated successfully.
Health officials paid particularly close attention to those 50+, smokers, people with chronic lung disease, those with a weakened immune system and those who take immunosuppressant meds.