New York City health officials are investigating a new cluster of Legionnaires' disease in the South Bronx, which has so far resulted in five confirmed cases and one death. The cluster was detected in the 10451 and 10456 ZIP codes, affecting parts of Melrose and Morrisania.
The New York City Health Department announced the findings on Thursday and stated that tests are underway for samples collected from cooling towers in the area. Health officials are advising clinicians to be vigilant for potential cases and to conduct testing if the disease is suspected.
This outbreak follows a significant Legionnaires' disease cluster on the Upper East Side earlier this summer, which led to over 90 cases and 11 deaths. Health officials linked that outbreak to bacteria found in some buildings' cooling towers.
"I understand that New Yorkers may have heightened concerns following the recent Upper East Side cluster," Dr. Alister F. Martin, NYC health commissioner, said in a press release. "We are taking immediate action. Water ecologists have sampled cooling towers in the affected area. Any cooling tower that tests positive will be directed to undergo full cleaning and disinfection immediately."
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling Legionella bacteria, which are present naturally in freshwater. The bacteria thrive in warm water and can grow in plumbing systems, including cooling towers, showerheads, and hot water tanks. The disease is not typically spread from person to person.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of Legionnaires' disease have been increasing, with a peak of 2.71 cases per 100,000 in 2018. Cases decreased in the early COVID-19 pandemic but rebounded in 2021.
While most individuals recover with antibiotic treatment, certain patients, particularly those who are immunocompromised or have chronic lung conditions, can experience fatal complications. The CDC estimates that about 1 in 10 people with Legionnaires' disease die from complications, and this figure rises to about 1 in 4 for patients infected in healthcare facilities.
New York City health officials are urging residents and workers in the affected South Bronx area, or those who visited since late August, to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or muscle aches.