About Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease (or Legionellosis) is a type of pneumonia. It is caused by a type of bacteria (Legionella) that grows in warm water. The disease is not contagious and is not spread person to person. People only get sick by breathing in water vapor containing the bacteria (for example, by inhaling contaminated mist from faucets, showers, whirlpools or cooling towers). Cooling towers in Central Harlem that initially tested positive for Legionella have since undergone remediation.
Window air conditioners do not spread the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease. People who are sick with Legionnaire's cannot make others sick.
Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early, so anyone who is experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever or cough is encouraged to seek medical treatment. Groups at high risk for Legionnaires' disease include people who are 50 and older (especially cigarette smokers), people with chronic lung disease, and people with weakened immune systems.
More information is available on the New York City Department of Health website.
Columbia’s Preventative Measures
None of Columbia’s cooling towers have tested positive for Legionella.
Cooling towers that Columbia University owns and manages are tested weekly as a precaution and in compliance with regulatory requirements. Cooling tower basins are also cleaned quarterly as part of an established preventative maintenance plan. Out of an abundance of caution, Columbia has slightly increased the concentration of sterilizing chemicals in Columbia’s cooling towers to prevent contamination.
Columbia’s student health services are aware of the Legionnaires cluster and available to assist students who are unwell or have health questions: