New York City health officials have reported the first death associated with a Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side, as the number of confirmed cases has risen to 67. As of Thursday night, 12 individuals remained hospitalized due to the bacterial pneumonia.
Investigators have traced the outbreak to Legionella pneumophila bacteria, which were identified in 76 cooling towers in the Upper East Side and one on the Upper West Side. Buildings found to have positive tests, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, have been instructed to clean and disinfect their cooling towers.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. While these bacteria naturally occur in water, they can proliferate in building water systems, particularly cooling towers. Health officials have stressed that the current outbreak is not connected to New York City's drinking water or indoor air conditioning systems. The disease is contracted from inhaling mist contaminated with the bacteria, not from drinking water.
Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease typically manifest two to 14 days after exposure and can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and headaches. The illness is not spread from person to person. Early diagnosis and prompt antibiotic treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 1 in 10 people diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease die from complications.
Health officials are advising anyone who has lived, worked, or visited the affected area since late June and develops flu-like symptoms to seek immediate medical attention from a healthcare provider. Older adults, smokers, and individuals with chronic lung conditions or weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness.