The death toll from a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City's Upper East Side has climbed to four, as the number of confirmed cases has risen to 76. The severe form of pneumonia, spread by contaminated water vapor, has seen its patient count increase from 63 in the past week, according to the New York City Health Department.
Hospitalizations have seen a decrease, with seven individuals currently admitted, down from 12. A total of 53 patients have been discharged. No specific details regarding the infected, hospitalized, or deceased individuals have been released.
The outbreak, first suspected earlier this month after the initial known case was reported on June 27, has been linked to cooling towers and air conditioning units. As of July 20, 76 buildings identified as potential sources of the Legionella bacteria have completed cleaning. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that the source of exposure is believed to have been eliminated but that inspections and enforcement of health laws will continue.
The affected zip codes span areas of Manhattan including the Upper East Side, Yorkville, and Carnegie Hill. Among the buildings identified are The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Spence School, the Guggenheim Museum, a building with a Whole Foods Market, Gracie Towers, and a fitness facility.
Legionnaires' disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrives in warm, damp environments and can become airborne in water vapor. It is not spread from person to person. Symptoms include headache, muscle aches, fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia and sepsis.
City officials are advising anyone living or working in the affected areas, or who has visited since late June, to seek medical attention if experiencing flu-like symptoms. Individuals over 50, smokers, those with chronic lung disease, or weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
Nationwide, Legionnaires' disease cases have significantly increased over the past two decades, with New York City recording between 300 and 600 cases annually. This outbreak follows a similar event in Harlem last August, which resulted in seven deaths and 114 illnesses, linked to bacteria found in 12 cooling towers across 10 buildings.