The cooling tower at Harlem Hospital is one of 12 sites connected to a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the city. Health officials reported Thursday that this outbreak has resulted in four fatalities and nearly 100 reported illnesses.
Also on the list of affected cooling towers are locations like the Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic, the NYC Economic Development Corporation, and CUNY’s Marshak Science Building, all of which require cleaning as per the health department’s announcements during a recent press conference.
In total, authorities identified ten sites where individuals may have been exposed to the disease. Initially, they hesitated to disclose the specific locations of the cooling towers.
Instead, the Health Department shared five ZIP codes in Central Harlem—10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039—emphasizing that the disease can spread in the air and that individuals outside the directly affected buildings might also be at risk.
Dr. Michelle Morse expressed concern at the press conference about how people might perceive the situation: “We didn’t want residents to think, ‘I don’t live there, so I don’t need to worry.’ That’s exactly the opposite of our intention.” Ideally, she hoped that all residents in those ZIP codes would be vigilant for flu-like symptoms and seek medical attention promptly.
Since July 25, there have been at least 99 confirmed cases, with 17 individuals requiring hospitalization. The current death toll has increased from three to four.
A total of 12 cooling towers have been identified as contributors to the outbreak, with 11 already testing positive for harmful bacteria. Among them, one tower must undergo maintenance by Friday.
According to the Department of Health, the ten buildings with problematic cooling towers are:
- BRP Companies, Lafayette Development LLC, 2239 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, Manhattan, NY 10037
- BVK, 215 W 125th St, Manhattan, NY 10027
- Commonwealth Local Development, 301 West 124th St, Manhattan, NY 10035
- CUNY – City College Marshak Science Building, 181 Convent Ave, Manhattan, NY 10031
- Harlem Center Condominium, 317 Lennox Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10030
- NYC Economic Development Corporation, 40 West 137th St, Manhattan, NY 10037
- NYC Health Department Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic, 2238 5th Ave, Manhattan, NY 10030
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, 506 Lenox Ave, Manhattan, NY 10037
- New York Hotel Trade Council Harlem Health Center, 133 Morningside Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10027
- Wharton Properties, 100 W 125th St, Manhattan, NY 10027 (3 out of 8 towers)
Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms in the affected areas is urged to seek medical care promptly.
“Even if the outbreak is localized, we encourage New Yorkers living or working in these regions to take their health seriously and consult a doctor,” stated Mayor Eric Adams.
It’s important to note that symptoms may not appear until 12-14 days following exposure, which can occur from inhaling droplets containing bacteria from water systems, like cooling towers.
