Last Updated on 2 weeks by Ashley Michael
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood has killed five people and hospitalized 14, health officials announced Monday.
The NYC Health Department confirmed 108 cases in Central Harlem. The outbreak originated from contaminated cooling towers in the area.
“As of August 18, there are 108 confirmed cases, five deaths, 14 currently hospitalized,” the health department stated.
The department sampled and tested water from cooling towers in the investigation zone. Towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria completed required treatment.
“This community outbreak is not related to a building’s hot or cold water supply,” officials clarified.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by bacteria that multiply in water and air conditioning systems. The disease spreads through contaminated droplets and causes fever and pneumonia.
People with weakened immune systems face higher risk. The disease is not contagious from person to person.
The illness got its name from a 1976 outbreak at a Philadelphia hotel during an American Legion conference. That outbreak infected 220 people and killed 34.
Health officials continue investigating the current outbreak in Central Harlem.