Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in NYC Under Investigation

The New York City Department of Health has started looking into an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the Upper East Side, prompting officials to quickly identify the source.

As of Thursday, two individuals from the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville areas have been confirmed with this serious pneumonia-like illness. More cases could potentially emerge as test results are still pending, according to health department notifications.

Officials are advising anyone who has lived, worked, or visited the Upper East Side since late June to reach out to their healthcare provider if they start to exhibit flu-like symptoms, which might include a fever, coughing, or trouble breathing.

Legionnaires’ disease can be quite serious, or even deadly, if not treated promptly. That said, it’s important to note that this disease isn’t spread from person to person and can typically be treated with antibiotics.

Individuals over the age of 50, smokers, those with chronic lung diseases, or those who have weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of contracting it.

This illness usually arises from water supplies that have become contaminated with Legionella bacteria. The bacteria thrive in settings like cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, and large air conditioning systems.

Health officials are planning to sample and test all cooling towers in the affected area. If tests return positive for the bacteria, the property owner will have to take immediate remediation steps.

Last summer, Harlem experienced a significant outbreak that affected 114 people, leading to 90 hospitalizations and seven fatalities. Some have claimed that the actual death toll could have been higher due to misdiagnosis during that event.

So far, in the current outbreak in Manhattan, there have been no reports of deaths linked to Legionnaires’ disease.

This week, it’s still considered safe to operate air conditioners and utilize cooling centers and city facilities, which residents need especially in the heatwave. Doctors are also being urged to stay alert and report any cases immediately to health authorities.