USA TODAY – The death toll in New York City’s Legionnaires’ disease outbreak has risen to five with more than 100 cases confirmed across five ZIP codes in Central Harlem, local health officials announced.
Since the outbreak began on July 25, the New York City Health Department has reported 108 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem — a historically Black neighborhood in Upper Manhattan.
The latest death was reported on Aug. 18 after health officials concluded that a person with the disease who died before mid-August was associated with the Central Harlem cluster.
“Based on epidemiological evidence, remediation efforts have been effective as new cases continue to decrease,” Dr. Michelle Morse, acting commissioner of the city health department, said in a statement on X. “The Health Department is continuing our investigation.”
As of Aug. 19, the city health department said 14 people with the disease were currently hospitalized as officials continued investigating the community cluster of the disease in ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039.
The city health department reiterated that the risk to most residents in these ZIP codes remains low but urged those who work or live in the area to immediately see a health care provider if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella, which grows in warm or hot water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms, which can develop up to 14 days after exposure, include cough, fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath.
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Where does the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak stem from?
The outbreak in Central Harlem has been linked to cooling towers in the area, according to the city health department. Cooling towers are heat exchangers that use fans and water to cool down buildings …
