Two Legionnaires’ Cases Found at East Village Complex

Key Points:

• Two residents of the Haven Plaza apartment complex in East Village have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease within the past 11 months, prompting health officials to advise precautions such as avoiding showers and filling bathtubs slowly to reduce exposure to contaminated water vapor.
• The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is conducting water tests at One Haven Plaza, the building where both cases occurred, but results are not yet available; Legionella bacteria causes pneumonia-like symptoms and can be fatal, especially for older or vulnerable individuals.
• Tenant association president Dana Cruz criticized delayed communication from health officials and building management, noting that the second infected tenant, over 65 and hospitalized, likely contracted the disease within the building.
• Past Legionnaires’ outbreaks in New York City, including a fatal case at a NYCHA development in 2024, highlight ongoing concerns about water system maintenance, and residents have expressed frustration with management’s handling of plumbing issues and repairs at Haven Plaza.
• Wavecrest Management and Catholic Homes have engaged a water-systems consultancy to conduct evaluations and sampling as mandated by DOHMH, with results to be reported according to the health department’s schedule.