Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak in New York City Leads to 7 Deaths and Over 114 Infections

Health officials in New York City have reported a growing number of cases related to a Legionnaires' disease outbreak, with the death toll rising to seven and the number of confirmed infections reaching 114. The latest fatality was announced Thursday, involving a patient who succumbed to the illness before mid-August. The outbreak is centered in Central Harlem, where more than 100 individuals have contracted the bacterial pneumonia.

Investigation into the source of the outbreak revealed Legionella bacteria in 12 cooling towers across 10 different buildings. These included a city-operated hospital and a sexual health clinic. Remediation efforts have been successfully completed on all affected cooling towers to prevent further spread.

Legionnaires' disease, caused by Legionella bacteria, is a form of pneumonia that develops after inhaling contaminated warm water from building water systems. Cooling towers, which use water and fans to regulate building temperature, have been identified as the primary source in this case.

Symptoms typically appear between two and fourteen days following exposure and include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises residents in the area experiencing flu-like symptoms to seek medical care promptly.

City health authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge individuals who may be affected to consult healthcare providers. The investigation is ongoing, and measures have been taken to eliminate potential sources of infection.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-death-toll-legionnaires-disease-outbreak.html