A lethal outbreak of Legionnaires’ illness in Harlem that has sickened dozens of individuals since late July continues to develop, with the affected person depend nearing triple digits as a quantity stay hospitalized.
Legionnaires’ is a kind of pneumonia brought on by the micro organism Legionella, which grows in heat water. The instances from the cluster have been present in 5 Harlem ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039, together with the bordering communities, in keeping with well being officers.
In case you’ve been within the impacted ZIP codes and have flu-like signs, fever, cough, or problem respiration, it is best to search rapid medical consideration, well being officers say.
As of Tuesday night, there had been three deaths, which was the identical quantity because the earlier replace. The case depend had grown to 90 from 81, and 15 individuals stay hospitalized, in keeping with the well being division.
Appearing NYC Well being Commissioner Michelle Morse has cautioned that case numbers would doubtless rise resulting from a reporting lag, although there are indicators the tempo of the rise in instances could also be slowing. Morse says she believes the town has contained the worst of the sickness by remediating 11 cooling towers and concentrating on response.
Monitoring is ongoing.
Right here’s what to know.
What’s Legionnaires’ illness?
Legionnaires’ is a kind of pneumonia, or a lung an infection, the state DOH mentioned.
The legionella micro organism also can result in a milder sickness referred to as Pontiac fever, which resembles flu-like signs.
How does it unfold?
Legionella micro organism unfold when somebody inhales tiny droplets of contaminated water, generally present in sizzling tubs, industrial air-con methods, ornamental fountains, plumbing methods and even consuming water.
Outbreaks typically happen in massive and sophisticated water methods present in locations like accommodations, hospitals, and cruise ships.
The micro organism also can survive and unfold in soil, often inflicting infections when individuals backyard utilizing contaminated soil.
Nonetheless, most often, individuals don’t transmit Legionnaires’ illness or Pontiac fever to others.
ICYMI: We’re investigating a Legionnaires’ illness cluster in Central Harlem (ZIP codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039).
In case you dwell in certainly one of these ZIP codes and have flu-like signs, search medical consideration. Be taught extra: https://t.co/BHUN2E70nf pic.twitter.com/JAGXgxoIsG
— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) August 5, 2025
What are the signs?
Signs of Legionnaires’ illness usually seem two to 10 days after publicity to the micro organism, although it may well take as much as two weeks. Frequent complaints embrace:
Headache
Muscle aches
Shortness of breath
Cough
Fever
The New Jersey Division of Well being famous that the signs will be just like these of COVID-19 and different respiratory sicknesses just like the flu. Solely checks ordered by a health care provider can verify a prognosis.
Who’s at greater threat?
These most prone to Legionnaires’ illness embrace adults over 50, people with weakened immune methods or continual situations, and people who smoke.
It’s rarer for wholesome people who find themselves uncovered to the legionella micro organism to develop Legionnaires’ illness.
Can or not it’s handled?
Antibiotics are used to deal with Legionnaires’ illness, although it typically requires hospitalization.
Anybody suspecting publicity to Legionella or experiencing signs of Legionella illness or pneumonia ought to promptly contact a health care provider. It’s necessary to say any publicity to Legionella, sizzling tub use, latest travels, or hospital stays previously two weeks.
For extra data on Legionnaires’ illness, go to the CDC web site.
