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There is a outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in the South Bronx. 31 cases have been reported there since July 10, officials said. Two people with the disease have died.

Fox News says about 2,200 Legionnaire's illnesses have been reported nationwide since Jan.1, including more than 100 in New York City. City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett says the South Bronx cases represent an "unusual increase."

According to the Mayo Clinic:

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. Legionnaires' disease is caused by a bacterium known as legionella. You can't catch Legionnaires' disease from person-to-person contact. Instead, most people get Legionnaires' disease from inhaling the bacteria...The legionella bacterium also causes Pontiac fever, a milder illness resembling the flu. Separately or together, the two illnesses are sometimes called legionellosis. Pontiac fever usually clears on its own, but untreated Legionnaires' disease can be fatal. Although prompt treatment with antibiotics usually cures Legionnaires' disease, some people continue to experience problems after treatment.

Symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease include headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, confusion and diarrhea. Symptoms appear between 2-10 days after exposure to Legionella bacteria. CBS New York is reporting Legionnaire’s disease can usually be traced to places favorable to Legionella growth such as cooling towers, hot water tanks, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers and condensers in large air conditioning systems.

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