New York: A dangerous disease spreads, afflicting dozens of victims, and the cause is "air conditioners."

Arab Sea Newspaper - Special

Arab Sea - Follow-ups: A disease spreading through air conditioners in New York City has caused the deaths of a number of people and infected others. Health officials in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City announced on Tuesday that five people had died and 14 others had been hospitalized after contracting Legionnaires' disease, in cases attributed to infection spreading through air conditioning systems. The New York City Department of Health announced the confirmation of 108 cases of this respiratory disease in the neighborhood, noting that the bacteria had been found in air conditioning cooling towers. Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria, and the mortality rate is 9 percent of the total number of people infected with the disease. Contamination can occur through water or the respiratory system via fine droplets suspended in the air. The disease is not transmitted from person to person. The New York City Department of Health has asked building owners to commit to ensuring proper maintenance of air conditioning systems to prevent the spread of bacteria. The disease derives its name from the first known cases recorded in 1976 in a hotel in Philadelphia where the American Legion was holding a conference, and 34 people died at that time.