Health officials reported on Thursday that a second individual has succumbed to Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx, as the city grapples with an outbreak this summer.
Dr. Alister Martin, the NYC Health Commissioner, shared the news via a post on X, expressing, “I am saddened to share that a second person has died in connection with the South Bronx Legionnaires’ cluster.”
He added, “We mourn the loss of each New Yorker, and our hearts are with their loved ones as they navigate this difficult time.”
At least 14 cases have been confirmed in this cluster, with 11 of them leading to hospitalizations, according to city health statistics.
Last week, preliminary tests revealed Legionella bacteria, which causes this severe form of pneumonia, in ten cooling towers located in the South Bronx.
These towers included sites near Yankee Stadium and the NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln medical facility.
In response, investigators promptly directed the draining, cleaning, and disinfection of the affected cooling towers in the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods.
Martin confirmed late Thursday that “all cooling towers that tested positive through initial screening have been disinfected.”
He expressed gratitude towards local elected officials for their collaboration in outreach efforts to quickly address exposure and investigate cases. “Health Department staff are on the ground every day, reaching out to over 1,700 community members, distributing more than 4,000 pamphlets, and connecting with over 140 organizations in the past week to help people identify warning signs and risk factors,” he shared.
As of Thursday night, one person remains hospitalized, while nine have been discharged, as indicated by city data.
Officials continue to advise anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, who have visited the 10451 or 10456 ZIP codes, to seek medical attention immediately.
This cluster in the South Bronx follows a deadly outbreak on the Upper East Side earlier this summer that resulted in 94 illnesses and 11 fatalities.
Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia, is contracted by inhaling mist or small droplets from water sources tainted with Legionella bacteria, as noted by the CDC. The illness can be fatal in approximately 10% of cases, with symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and cough.
