Testing of the water supply at a housing complex in the East Village has confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria, according to an article by the Gothamist. Residents at the Haven Plaza housing complex were notified of the results of the testing, and building managers are reportedly working with city officials to address the situation. In the meantime, residents have been forced to deal with emergency measures to prevent the spread of Legionnaires’ disease, much to their chagrin.
Water Testing Confirms Presence of Legionella Bacteria
Over the past year, two separate cases of Legionnaires’ disease were tied to the Haven Plaza complex in the East Village in Manhattan. This prompted officials to test for the presence of Legionella, the bacteria which causes Legionnaires’ disease, and unfortunately, these tests came back positive. This, in turn, means that the water will be unsafe to drink or use until the water system has been remediated, a process which may take months.
Residents Forced to Take Emergency Measures to Prevent Illness
To reduce the risk of infection, residents at Haven Plaza have been forced to take special measures, often resulting in significant inconvenience. This has included being forced to drink bottled water rather than using a tap, and needing to use water from a bucket to clean themselves rather than bathe or shower normally. However, these measures are necessary to limit the risk of Legionnaires’ disease, which can be especially dangerous to the elderly and people with certain disabilities.
Risks of Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria, which is spread through contaminated water sources. Symptoms often mimic the flu, causing issues like coughing, shortness of breath, fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Due to how closely it resembles other diseases, it often goes undiagnosed, and only laboratory testing can confirm if someone has Legionnaires’.
What You Should Do
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and live or work somewhere where there has been a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, you should speak to a doctor and get tested as soon as possible. You should also speak to a lawyer with experience handling Legionnaires’ cases, such as the Katter Law Firm. They can review the circumstances of your case and help you get justice for the harm you have suffered.
If you or someone you know has been sickened or injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, contact the New York personal injury lawyers at the Katter Law Firm. We will help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a consultation, contact us at 212-809-4293, or visit our contact page.