Second Death Reported in New York City Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

Officials have confirmed that a second person has died during an outbreak of legionnaires’ disease that has affected numerous individuals in New York City. However, they also mentioned that it appears the source of the outbreak “has likely been eliminated.”

The health department of New York City announced the second death in a statement released on Saturday. Unfortunately, they did not share any specifics about the individual—no identity, age, or details surrounding their illness were provided, similar to the first death reported just a day prior in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

As of Saturday, at least 72 people have been reported sick due to the outbreak, with nine currently hospitalized, and 50 others have already been discharged. The exact source of the outbreak wasn’t detailed in the statement.

Dr. Alister F. Martin, the city’s health commissioner, remarked that data indicates promising results from an “aggressive strategy of testing, enforcement, and remediation” focused on air-conditioning systems in many large buildings. He noted that this approach “appears to have stopped the source of exposure.”

Such air-conditioning systems can, unfortunately, emit water vapor that may carry the legionella bacteria.

Martin stated, “We directed every building with an initial positive test result to immediately clean and disinfect its cooling tower, and every one has completed that work.” He also noted that operators of cooling towers throughout the city have been reminded to increase their use of biocides during the summer to tackle the legionella bacteria.

The city took these precautions after two confirmed cases of legionnaires’ disease emerged on July 2. From July 2 through July 8, the health agency reported an average of more than eight new cases each day. Remarkably, the number then dropped to fewer than one new case daily from July 10 to July 17.

Martin added that inspections would continue for every cooling tower that tested positive, and any owner failing to comply with public health laws would be held accountable.

Recent tests have identified either living or dead legionella bacteria in cooling towers of over 75 buildings in the Upper East Side, which include museums, private schools, and residential buildings.

The statement also extended condolences to those mourning the loss of loved ones during this outbreak.

Though treatable, legionnaires’ disease has a mortality rate of about 10%, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The bacteria responsible for the disease thrive in warm water and can multiply in places like cooling towers, hot tubs, and showerheads.

People can contract the disease by inhaling tiny droplets of contaminated water; it is not transmitted from person to person.

A notable outbreak occurred in August 2025, where seven people died and over 100 were affected in Harlem—a stark reminder of the disease’s potential severity.

The disease received its name after a 1976 outbreak in Philadelphia affected attendees of a convention for the American Legion, a non-profit organization for war veterans.