Connect with us

Top Stories

New York City declares Harlem legionnaire’s disease outbreak over | New York

Published

on


New York City has declared the deadly legionnaires’ disease outbreak in central Harlem over, nearly three weeks since it began.

On Friday, city health officials announced that there have been no new cases among residents who live or work in the area since 9 August. As of Friday, there have been 114 cases of legionnaires’ disease, with 90 people hospitalized – six of those remaining in hospital – and seven deaths.

In a statement on Friday, New York City’s mayor, Eric Adams, said: “Today marks three weeks since someone with symptoms was identified, which means New Yorkers should be able to breathe a sigh of relief that residents and visitors to central Harlem are no longer at an increased risk of contracting legionnaires’ disease – but our job here is not done.”

“We must ensure that we learn from this and implement new steps to improve our detection and response to future clusters, because public safety is at the heart of everything we do … This is an unfortunate tragedy for New York City and the people of central Harlem as we mourn the seven people who lost their lives and pray for those who are still being treated,” he added.

The disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria which can be spread from water systems and devices to people. Such water systems include shower heads, sink faucets, hot tubs, decorative fountains, large plumbing systems and cooling towers.

Following an investigation, health officials were able to trace the bacteria back to cooling towers atop the city-run Harlem Hospital and a nearby construction site overseen by the city.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common way for someone to get sick is by breathing in mist containing legionella. Another way that the disease can be contracted is if someone accidentally swallows contaminated water and it enters their lungs, also known as aspiration.

Most healthy people who are exposed to the bacteria do not get sick. Those who are more susceptible to contracting the disease include current or former smokers and people 50 years or older, as well as those with specific health issues.

Symptoms usually develop two to 14 days after exposure to the bacteria and include cough, fever, headaches and muscle aches as well as shortness of breath. Other symptoms include confusion, diarrhea or nausea.

Following the outbreak, all facilities with legionella-positive test results completed full cleaning and disinfection as directed by city officials.

Michelle Morse, New York City’s acting health commissioner, said: “As the city’s doctor, my thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by the spread of legionella, and our hearts are with the families who lost a loved one … We are working with building owners on next steps to protect the health and safety of Harlem residents and to prevent future clusters.”

Following the outbreak, the Adams administration issued a slew of new proposals that include expanding the health department’s capacity to inspect the city’s cooling towers, requiring building owners to test for legionella at least every 30 days during the cooling tower operating period instead of the current 90-day requirement, expanding the health department’s sampling capacity to conduct proactive sampling of building cooling tower systems, and maintaining contracts to surge capacity when faced with novel issues during future clusters.



Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top Stories

Kamala Harris to remain under protection after Trump revokes Secret Service detail

Published

on


Former Vice President Kamala Harris will receive protection from the California Highway Patrol, after her Secret Service detail was revoked by President Donald Trump.

Law enforcement sources told the LA Times that officials in The Golden State have stepped up to offer their services to Harris when her extended Secret Service protection comes to an end.

Trump signed an order on Thursday which retracted the protection Harris was offered from Monday onwards.

The offer came after discussions between the offices of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass about how to best handle the situation, the outlet reported.

Vice Presidents are usually entitled to six months of protection after leaving office, while presidents are afforded protection for the rest of their lives.

But one of Biden’s final actions was to extend her protection through to July 2026. The move came after a request from Harris’ aides.

Typically when the six-month protection expires, former vice presidents – including Mike Pence and Joe Biden – have paid for their own private security. 

Other than Harris, the only other former vice president to receive protection beyond the six-months was Dick Cheney after requesting approval from then-President Barack Obama in 2009. 

Former Vice President Kamala Harris will receive protection from Highway Patrol in California after her Secret Service detail was revoked by President Donald Trump

Trump signed an order on Thursday which retracted the protection Harris was offered from Monday onwards

Governor Gavin Newsom’s office told the publication: ‘Our office does not comment on security arrangements.

‘The safety of our public officials should never be subject to erratic, vindictive political impulses.’ 

Newsom would be required to sign off on any such arrangement with Highway Patrol. 

Harris will not only lose 24/7 in-person Secret Service protection from federal agents, but she will also no longer have threat detection intelligence. 

Mayor Karen Bass slammed Trump’s decision, stating: ‘This is another act of revenge following a long list of political retaliation in the form of firings, the revoking of security clearances and more. 

‘This puts the former Vice President in danger and I look forward to working with the governor to make sure Vice President Harris is safe in Los Angeles.’

Other than Harris, the only other former vice president to receive protection beyond the six-months was Dick Cheney after requesting approval from then-President Barack Obama in 2009. 

One of Biden's final actions was to extend her protection through to July 2026. The move came after a request from Harris' aides

One of Biden’s final actions was to extend her protection through to July 2026. The move came after a request from Harris’ aides

Trump canceled a previously undisclosed directive from President Joe Biden that granted Harris Secret Service protection for an additional year

Trump canceled a previously undisclosed directive from President Joe Biden that granted Harris Secret Service protection for an additional year

Trump’s sudden removal of his 2024 rival’s protection will have immediate ramifications as Harris prepares to launch a nationwide book tour next month for her upcoming memoir ‘107 days.’ 

The book reportedly focuses on her failed short-lived 107 day presidential campaign following Biden’s departure from the race. 

Harris’ tours stops will mostly take place in deep-blue cities, and will start off on September 24th in New York City, the day after her book is released. 

Former presidents and White House officials often face security threats from around the world. 

Trump famously survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 presidential election. 

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Top Stories

Israel identifies body of hostage retrieved from Gaza

Published

on

By


Israel identified the body of hostage Idan Shtivi, recovered from the Gaza Strip in a military operation this week that retrieved the remains of two hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday.

Netanyahu’s office had announced on Friday the retrieval of Ilan Weiss’s body along with the remains of another hostage, whose identity is now known to be that of Shtivi but had not been disclosed at the time.

With Weiss and Shtivi‘s bodies recovered, Israel says 48 hostages remain in Gaza, of whom only 20 are believed to be alive.

“Idan Shtivi was abducted from the Tel Gama area and brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists after acting to rescue and evacuate others from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. He was 28 years old at the time of his death,” the Israeli military said on Saturday in a statement.

Around 1,200 people were killed and about 251 taken hostage when the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israeli southern communities in October 2023, Israel’s tallies show.

Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s subsequent military assault has killed over 63,000 Palestinians. The war has displaced nearly the enclave’s entire population, devastated infrastructure, and triggered a humanitarian crisis.



Source link

Continue Reading

Top Stories

Your lookahead horoscope: August 31, 2025

Published

on


HOROSCOPES

Open this photo in gallery:

Virgo.iStockPhoto / Getty Images

IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY

The message of your birthday chart is that you must know your own mind and follow what it tells you to the letter. Ignore those who complain about your aims, because there is nothing they can do to hinder you – and they certainly won’t help!

Aries (March 21 – April 20):

Someone who is important to you on both a personal and a professional level will be difficult to get through to over the next few days. It’s no big deal though, so don’t panic. They will be back on the same wavelength before the end of week.

Taurus (April 21 – May 21):

Although your financial situation may not be as bad as you fear you have been a bit too free and easy with your cash in recent weeks. Cut back on your spending over the next few days – make it essentials only from now on.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21):

You may be of a mind to give up on a project that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere but don’t be hasty. While Saturn is going through its retrograde phase it may seem as if you are making no progress but that will change very soon.

Cancer (June 22 – July 23):

News you hear from afar will put a spring in your step over the next 24 hours but don’t get carried away. Take extra care when making plans to visit friends and relatives as there are sure to be delays and diversions along the way.

Leo (July 24 – Aug. 23):

The fact that no one seems to believe in what you are doing is neither here nor there. The only thing that matters is that you believe in yourself, so keep going and don’t let other people’s negativity affect you – in fact, let it energize you!

Virgo (Aug. 24 – Sept. 23):

The more time you spend trying to understand the motivations of a friend or family member the further away from the truth your efforts will take you, so give it a miss and just accept them for who and what they are, whatever that is!

Libra (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23):

The positive signals you have been getting from people you work with is nice but can you believe they really want to see you succeed? While Saturn continues its retrograde phase it might be safer to act as if you don’t really trust them.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 – Nov. 22):

You may be feeling more optimistic about an artistic or creative project of some kind but you can also expect some delays in getting it finished. Be patient and handle setbacks as and when they arrive. You will get there in the end.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 – Dec. 21):

What a friend tells you today may not be what you were expecting or hoping to hear but don’t ignore it. They may have seen something that you missed, and that something could trip you up if you are too proud to take advice.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 20):

Your ruler Saturn moves back into the social and travel area of your chart this week, which suggests you may have to change some of the arrangements you made in recent weeks. It’s no big deal, so accept the inevitable and get it done.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 – Feb. 19):

Something of a financial nature needs to be treated with a great deal of care. You may think it’s no big deal but the planets warn you could end up out of pocket if you act as if other people are as honest as you – because they’re not!

Pisces (Feb. 20 – Mar. 20):

As Saturn moves back into your sign this week it may feel as if problems you thought you had dealt with never actually went away. The good news is there will be just one small thing that you need to change. It’s really no big deal.

Discover more about yourself at sallybrompton.com



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending