DOH Health Advisory: LEGIONELLOSIS

NYS Department of Health released an advisory today on LEGIONELLOSIS.

New York State has a high burden of legionellosis. Medical provider recognition of the possibility of Legionnaires’ disease (in persons with pneumonia), Pontiac fever (in persons without pneumonia) or Extrapulmonary Legionellosis (in persons with Legionella in sites outside of the lungs) coupled with appropriate diagnostic testing is critical to the identification and investigation of community clusters. While legionellosis occurs year-round, the incidence of illness usually increases during the summer and early fall. Local health departments (LHDs), with the assistance of the NYSDOH, investigate potential time-space clusters of cases as they are recognized. Legionnaires’ disease (LD) cannot be distinguished from other causes of pneumonia on clinical or radiologic grounds, including the virus that causes COVID-19. LD and COVID-19 both cause fever, fatigue, and respiratory illness (including pneumonia). NYSDOH is advising that in hospitalized or at-risk patients with suspected pneumonia, to test for Legionella infection especially if testing for COVID-19 has been negative. Culture of the organism from respiratory secretions or tissues is the gold standard for diagnosis. Please read the attached Health Advisory for more information and contact information.

NYSHFA/NYSCAL CONTACTS:

Jackie Pappalardi, RN, BSN
Executive Director
518-462-4800 x16