New York Metropolis well being officers are anticipated to present an replace Thursday on the lethal outbreak of Legionnaires’ illness in Harlem that has killed three individuals and sickened almost 100 since late July, as the newest affected person counts recommend the numbers could also be leveling off.
The briefing is predicted Thursday afternoon.
Legionnaires’ is a sort of pneumonia attributable to the micro organism Legionella, which grows in heat water. It is not transmissible from individual to individual, so you may’t get the illness from somebody who’s sick. You’ll be able to, although, get it from impacted 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 line with well being officers.
We’re investigating a Legionnaires’ illness cluster in Central Harlem (ZIPs 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039). In the event you dwell or work on this space and have flu-like signs, see a well being care supplier immediately.
Here is what you need to know: https://t.co/prnGYyaxXt pic.twitter.com/EYzyllmtlc
— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) August 7, 2025
In the event you’ve been within the impacted ZIP codes and have flu-like signs, fever, cough, or problem respiratory, you need to search instant medical consideration, well being officers say.
As of Wednesday night, there had been three deaths, which was the identical quantity because the earlier two updates. The case rely had grown to 92, up two in a single day. Fifteen individuals stay hospitalized, in line with the well being division.
Appearing NYC Well being Commissioner Michelle Morse has cautioned that case numbers will probably rise as a result of a reporting lag, although there are indicators the tempo of the rise in instances could also be slowing. Morse says she believes town has contained the worst of the sickness by remediating 11 cooling towers and concentrating on outreach.
Monitoring is ongoing.
Right here’s what to know.
What’s Legionnaires’ illness?
Legionnaires’ is a sort of pneumonia, or a lung an infection, the state DOH stated.
The legionella micro organism may also result in a milder sickness known 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 scorching tubs, industrial air-con programs, ornamental fountains, plumbing programs and even ingesting water.
Outbreaks typically happen in giant and sophisticated water programs present in locations like resorts, hospitals, and cruise ships.
The micro organism may also survive and unfold in soil, sometimes inflicting infections when individuals backyard utilizing contaminated soil.
Nevertheless, normally, 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 the event you dwell in one in all 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 of Legionnaires’ illness?
Signs of Legionnaires’ illness usually seem two to 10 days after publicity to the micro organism, although it may possibly take as much as two weeks. Widespread complaints embrace:
Headache
Muscle aches
Shortness of breath
Cough
Fever
The New Jersey Division of Well being famous that the signs will be much like these of COVID-19 and different respiratory sicknesses just like the flu. Solely exams ordered by a health care provider can verify a prognosis.
Who’s at increased threat?
These most inclined to Legionnaires’ illness embrace adults over 50, people with weakened immune programs or continual circumstances, and people who smoke.
It’s rarer for wholesome people who find themselves uncovered to the legionella micro organism to develop Legionnaires’ illness.
Can 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 essential to say any publicity to Legionella, scorching tub use, current travels, or hospital stays up to now two weeks.
For extra data on Legionnaires’ illness, go to the CDC web site.
