A fifth individual has died on account of the Legionnaires’ illness outbreak in Harlem, which has sickened greater than 100, well being officers stated.
The variety of instances has continued to rise, albeit slowly, over the previous week. The New York Metropolis Well being Division stated Monday there had been 108 confirmed instances, 14 of which have been at present hospitalized. That whole was up almost 10 from fives days prior, when the depend was at 99 on Thursday.
The outbreak started on July 26. 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.
On Friday, the final of 12 cooling towers that had examined constructive for the legionella micro organism had been remediated, well being officers stated. That they had hoped the containment efforts would forestall one other loss of life, however Monday’s developments confirmed that might not be the case.
This is a full record of places the place the cooling towers that examined constructive for legionella have been discovered:
BRP Firms, Lafayette Improvement LLC, 2239 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd Manhattan, NY 10037
BVK, 215 W a hundred and twenty fifth St Manhattan, NY 10027
Commonwealth Native Improvement, 301 West 124th St, Manhattan, NY 10035
CUNY – Metropolis Faculty Marshak Science Constructing, 181 Convent Ave, Manhattan, NY 10031
Harlem Heart Apartment, 317 Lenox Ave, Manhattan, NY 10030
NYC Financial Improvement Company, 40 West 137th St, Manhattan, NY 10037
NYC Well being Division Central Harlem Sexual Well being Clinic, 2238 fifth Ave, Manhattan, NY 10030
NYC Well being + Hospitals/Harlem, 506 Lenox Ave, Manhattan, NY 10037
The New York Lodge Trades Council Harlem Well being Heart,133 Morningside Ave, Manhattan, NY 10027
Wharton Properties, 100 W a hundred and twenty fifth St Manhattan, NY 10027 (3 of 8 towers)
Legionnaires’ is a kind of pneumonia attributable to the micro organism Legionella, which grows in heat water. It isn’t transmissible from individual to individual, so you possibly can’t get the illness from somebody who’s sick. You possibly can, although, get it from impacted water.
“New Yorkers should know the air is safe to breathe, and we are seeing declining numbers of new cases each day. I want to thank the health workers who worked tirelessly to treat this community and make sure its residents are healthy,” NYC Mayor Eric Adams stated at a press convention Thursday.
The chance for Legionnaires’ is just not elevated for individuals who stay or work in these buildings. Legionella micro organism travels on the mist from a cooling tower exterior into the air, like smoke from a hearth. You probably have been in any of the 5 ZIP codes and really feel sick, please see your physician.
— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) August 14, 2025
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 stated.
The legionella micro organism may 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 sizzling tubs, industrial air-con programs, ornamental fountains, plumbing programs and even ingesting water.
Outbreaks usually happen in giant and complicated water programs present in locations like accommodations, hospitals, and cruise ships.
The micro organism may survive and unfold in soil, often inflicting infections when folks backyard utilizing contaminated soil.
Nonetheless, typically, folks 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).
For those who stay 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 sometimes seem two to 10 days after publicity to the micro organism, although it will probably 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 could be just like these of COVID-19 and different respiratory sicknesses just like the flu. Solely exams ordered by a health care provider can affirm a analysis.
Who’s at greater danger?
These most vulnerable to Legionnaires’ illness embrace adults over 50, people with weakened immune programs or power 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 usually 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 vital to say any publicity to Legionella, sizzling tub use, current travels, or hospital stays prior to now two weeks.
For extra info on Legionnaires’ illness, go to the CDC web site.
