NEW YORK, NY — Ronald J. Katter of The Katter Law Firm says all water systems in the New Jersey counties of Passaic and Bergen, which reported an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, should be examined, since they may have transmitted the disease through water vapor.
From June 6, 2023 to August 4, 2023, nine cases of Legionnaires’ disease were confirmed in Passaic County and one was found in Bergen County. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is currently working with local health agencies to determine what caused the outbreak. According to the NJDOH, there are between 250 and 375 Legionnaires’ cases in the state each year.
A similar outbreak occurred in the same two counties late last year. From November 9, 2022 to December 21, 2022, seven Legionnaires’ cases were reported. The cause of the outbreak was never determined.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria. It grows in warm water found in water systems, including cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative fountains and plumbing systems. People contract the disease when they breathe in water vapor containing the bacteria. The CDC notes that approximately 10% of all Legionnaires’ cases result in death.
Although it cannot be transmitted from one person to another, it can be serious for those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions. Legionnaires’ disease can successfully be treated with antibiotics.
“It should be incumbent upon both counties to examine all water systems that discharge water vapor into the air to determine the source of Legionnaires’ disease,” Mr. Katter says. “I find it hard to believe that this outbreak occurred for the second time in six months and they still could not determine where it came from.”
Mr. Katter says it is critical that anyone who experiences Legionnaires’ disease symptoms — which may include one or more of the following: headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, cough, gastrointestinal symptoms and confusion — seek immediate medical attention. “For the at-risk population, Legionnaires’ disease can be life-threatening, so, for them, time is of the essence.” Mr. Katter also urges those seeking medical attention to “tell their physicians about the outbreak, so that they can be properly tested.”
Mr. Katter is an advocate and highly experienced in representing clients who were sickened with Legionnaires’ disease. He has taken legal action against building owners who willfully refuse to clean and maintain the buildings’ water systems. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.
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About The Katter Law Firm
The Katter Law Firm represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries as a result of construction accidents, Legionnaires ‘disease, motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian knockdowns, bicycle crashes, slip/trip and falls, assaults, workplace accidents, professional malpractice, nursing home negligence, hospital mistreatment, police abuse, accidental death, pet attacks and cemetery and funeral negligence. The firm aggressively represents injured victims through New York’s five boroughs, as well as the surrounding counties. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.
