Health Dept. reported at least 2 Legionnaires' cases at Tracey Towers in past year

An investigation is underway at Tracey Towers after the Health Department reported at least two cases of Legionnaires' disease in the past year.

News 12 Staff

Sep 11, 2019, 9:18 PM

Updated 1,695 days ago

Share:

An investigation is underway at Tracey Towers after the Health Department reported at least two cases of Legionnaires' disease in the past year.
The DOH has not told News 12 when exactly the cases were reported, but News 12 has learned they were reported in the past 12 months.
The DOH met with residents Tuesday night, and inspectors are now sampling the buildings' water systems.
Legionnaires' is a serious type of pneumonia or lung infection caused by the legionella bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Department of Health says people can get the disease by breathing in water vapor containing the bacteria. Adults with flu-like symptoms are urged to seek medical attention immediately.
DOH says people older than 50 or those with compromised immune systems are more at risk and therefore urged to take baths, not showers.
DOH says they are also asked to avoid creating a mist when washing dishes.
News 12 spoke with Attania Funny who says her 71-year-old mother-in-law, a Tracey Towers resident, is currently in Montefiore Medical Center suffering from pneumonia-like symptoms.
Funny says the DOH contacted her mother-in-law Wednesday to monitor her testing.
The DOH says residents are notified when there are two or more cases of legionnaires' reported at a building within a 12 month period. The DOH is not saying when exactly in those 12 months the two residents were dianosed with Legionnaires'.
Back in February, Legionnaires' was found at the Bronx River Houses. The worst outbreak in the city was in 2015 in the Bronx. More than 100 people were sickened, and there were 12 reported deaths.
A spokesperson from the city's DOH released a statement saying in part, "The Health Department and building management are promptly alerting residents of the situation, and providing guidance on how to prevent exposure, especially for those at higher risk for disease."
The DOH says residents at Tracey Towers can drink cold water from the tap, and they do not need to wear a mask.


More from News 12
1:45
NYPD: 1 person dead, another injured in overnight double shooting in Brownsville

NYPD: 1 person dead, another injured in overnight double shooting in Brownsville

1:28
STORM WATCH: Cool and cloudy conditions for NYC; tracking rain during the weekend

STORM WATCH: Cool and cloudy conditions for NYC; tracking rain during the weekend

1:52
Brooklyn-based program helps teens stay away from trouble by teaching life skills

Brooklyn-based program helps teens stay away from trouble by teaching life skills

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

2:11
Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

1:44
The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

1:55
Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

1:59
Community members affected by Bushwick fire regroup, attempt to move forward

Community members affected by Bushwick fire regroup, attempt to move forward

1:41
New survey highlights challenges for migrants

New survey highlights challenges for migrants

1:55
PS 331 in Borough Park to be renamed in honor of slain Detective WenJian Liu

PS 331 in Borough Park to be renamed in honor of slain Detective WenJian Liu

0:43
2 City Council committees hold joint hearing on sexual harassment policies

2 City Council committees hold joint hearing on sexual harassment policies

4:14
'We lost something good'. FDNY says large fire destroys Bushwick supermarket, leaves 55 people homeless

'We lost something good'. FDNY says large fire destroys Bushwick supermarket, leaves 55 people homeless

0:39
Diocese of Brooklyn: 3 Catholic academies to close at the end of the school year

Diocese of Brooklyn: 3 Catholic academies to close at the end of the school year

2:03
New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

0:32
NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

0:23
Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:27
Kingsboro Psychiatric Center workers demand their bosses get fired due to bullying, nepotism

Kingsboro Psychiatric Center workers demand their bosses get fired due to bullying, nepotism