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Second person dies in Manhattan Legionnaires' cluster
Gothamist • • general
Key Points:
- Two deaths have been confirmed in connection with a Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side, with a total of 72 cases identified and nine people still hospitalized.
- The New York City Health Department reports a sustained decline in new cases, attributing progress to aggressive testing, enforcement, and mandatory cleaning of cooling towers in affected buildings.
- Legionnaires' disease is caused by inhaling water vapor containing Legionella bacteria, typically from building hot water systems, and is not contagious or found in drinking water.
- The outbreak remains under investigation in the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville neighborhoods, with officials ruling out plumbing system issues and advising residents to continue normal water use.
- Residents or visitors to the area since late June experiencing flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, or difficulty breathing are urged to seek medical attention promptly.
