On Wednesday, Mayor Adams announced that a third individual has died due to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Harlem.
This alarming cluster, which includes cases of severe lung inflammation, was first identified on July 25. It has impacted five postal codes in upper Manhattan, affecting at least 67 people. The identities of the three individuals who have died remain undisclosed.
“We believe [the outbreak] is primarily centered in Harlem, originating from a cooling tower,” Mayor Adams mentioned in a video statement earlier today.
“You might experience flu-like symptoms and find yourself questioning if you’re in the area,” he added.
The disease has been reported in ZIP codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039, with detections also in nearby neighborhoods.
Recent updates show a concerning rise from the previous report on Monday, which noted two deaths and 58 cases.
Health officials emphasize that while Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal, it is typically treatable with antibiotics if caught early. It is transmitted through water contaminated with Legionella bacteria, often found in numerous plumbing systems, cooling towers, hot tubs, and various large-scale air conditioning units.
The Health Department has detected the bacteria in 11 cooling towers to date.
“When we pinpoint a source of Legionnaires’ disease, we will require building owners to make immediate repairs within 24 hours,” Mayor Adams stated.
In New York City, with a population of about 8.5 million, between 200 to 700 cases of Legionnaires’ are diagnosed each year, according to health statistics.
The last significant outbreak occurred in the summer of 2022, resulting in at least five fatalities at a nursing home in Manhattan.
