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NYC Legionnaires’ disease outbreak claims 5th death
New York Post • • general
Key Points:
- A fifth death has been reported in the ongoing Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City, which has sickened over 60 people in the past month, primarily in the Upper East Side.
- The New York City Health Department has found Legionella bacteria in 34 cooling towers across 33 buildings and is currently cleaning a total of 82 towers in 80 buildings, but the exact source of the outbreak remains unidentified.
- Despite new regulations and increased inspections following a deadly outbreak last year, Legionella bacteria have been detected in cooling systems of prominent buildings, including private schools and museums like the Guggenheim.
- Health officials emphasize that Legionnaires’ disease, caused by inhaling contaminated water droplets, is treatable but can be fatal in about 10% of cases, and no new cases have been reported in the last 10 days.
- The city has increased its Legionella inspection workforce and conducted nearly 1,600 cooling tower inspections in the first half of the year, but advocates and attorneys argue that outbreaks continue despite strong regulations and efforts.
