Two cases of Legionnaires Disease (LD) in Paterson were confirmed on July 9, 2004. The cases involve an 82-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman admitted to Barnert Hospital last week. The man died July 8th. The woman is currently in stable condition. Both individuals lived at the Nathan Barnert Senior Housing Center, a complex owned by the City of Paterson Housing Authority.
 
Residents of the housing center were notified of the possible presence of Legionnaires Disease on Thursday, July 8th. Residents were advised not to drink the water or use the showers.
 
The Paterson Division of Health surveyed residents to assess if there were other individuals with symptoms of Legionnaires Disease. The survey did not find any other residents who might be symptomatic.
 
The usual symptoms of Legionellosis are fever, chills and a cough, which may be dry or productive. Sometimes muscle pain, headache and diarrhea are present. A chest X-ray often shows pneumonia. The incubation period for Legionellosis ranges from two to ten days, but is usually five to six days.
 
Any resident who may have these symptoms are being advised to contact Kate Bond, Director of Nursing with the Paterson Division of Health at 973-703-1406.
 
Samples from the water system at the Nathan Barnert Senior Housing Center were taken and tested by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services on July 9th. The presence of Legionellosis bacteria was confirmed in the water system on July 10th.
 
The tap water has been turned off in each apartment unit. The cold water will continue to function in the building for the purpose of flushing toilets. Residents are being advised not to bath or consume water from the tap.
 
The local division of health is providing bottled potable water to each unit in the building. An additional potable water supply will remain in the lobby until the water system is remediated.
 
The Paterson Division of Health is working with the Passaic County Health Department and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to assess and remediate the situation. The Health Departments will continue to monitor the situation over the next several days.
 
 
LD is a common bacterial infection that can spread through the air from a soil or water source contaminated with the bacteria. The bacteria are widely distributed in the environment.
 
LD is a reportable illness in New Jersey. There were 65 cases in New Jersey last year; 31 cases have been reported this year. Most cases are single isolated events. Outbreaks are relatively rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 10,000 to 15,000 Americans develop Legionellosis each year. An additional unknown number are infected with Legionellosis bacterium and have mild symptoms or no illness at all.
 
The disease is not known to spread from person to person.
LD most commonly affects middle-aged and older persons. People who smoke, drink heavily, have chronic lung disease or lowered immune system resistance due to underlying disease or chemotherapy are at higher risk.
 
 

For additional information, contact:
Pure Air Control Services
800-422-7873, ext. 802