Four people have died in a New York City Legionnaires' disease outbreak that has infected 76 Upper East Side residents as of July 20. The total number of positive cases in the neighborhood rose from 63 last week. Hospitalizations have decreased from 12 to seven, while a total of 53 people have been discharged from the hospital, according to the New York City Health Department.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia spread through contaminated water vapor that kills one in ten patients. Officials have not released details about any of the patients who were infected, hospitalized, or died in the outbreak. As of last week, health officials identified 76 buildings as potential sources of Legionella bacteria, which causes the illness. The New York City Health Department said it will continue inspecting every cooling tower that tested positive.
"We believe we have now eliminated the source of exposure. Regardless, we will continue to inspect cooling towers and aggressively enforce health laws," Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. He added: "I’m heartbroken by the loss of my fellow New Yorkers and send my deepest condolences to their loved ones."
Inspection of Affected Buildings
The 76 buildings on the potential source list span zip codes 10128, 10029, 10075 and 10028, located in the Upper East Side, Yorkville and Carnegie Hill areas of Manhattan. Officials originally identified 10075, 10028 and 10128 as potential hot spots because almost all patients live, work or recently visited those areas. Cleaning was completed in all 76 listed buildings as of July 20.
Notable sites on the list include The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and The Spence School, a private school that costs nearly $70,000 a year. Other sites include a building with a Whole Foods Market at street level, a fitness facility, and Gracie Towers, a residential building across the street from the official residence of the New York City mayor.
"I want to reassure New Yorkers they can use tap water, bathe, shower and cook and use air conditioners at home," Mayor Mamdani said.
Symptoms and Transmission
The first known case in the area was reported on June 27, and officials suspected an outbreak earlier this month as additional cases were reported. Legionnaires' disease is caused by Legionella bacteria that thrive in warm, damp locations. The bacteria can become airborne in water vapor and be breathed in, but the disease does not spread from person to person. Common sources include centralized air conditioning systems, hot tubs, water fountains and large building plumbing systems.
Infected patients initially suffer from a headache, muscle aches and fever. The disease later triggers a cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion or other symptoms. In severe cases, patients can suffer from severe pneumonia and sepsis, a potentially fatal complication that occurs when bacteria spread to the blood. Doctors can treat the disease using antibiotics, which are most effective during the early stages before spread.
"Any New Yorkers who currently live or work in this area or people who have visited the area since late June and are experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, or difficulty breathing should contact a health care provider immediately," the health department said.
Victim Accounts and High Risk Factors
Over the weekend, attorney Ronald Katter, who represents an 88-year-old man who died of Legionnaires', described how the victim's wife found him suddenly ill. "It wasn’t as if he had an acute illness that he was suffering for. He was sitting in his apartment by an open window and reading a magazine, and when she came home, he had a 104-degree fever," Katter said.
People over 50 years old, people who smoke or vape, and those with chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system face a higher risk from the bacteria. Nationwide, Legionnaires' disease infections have soared over the last two decades, rising from about 1,100 cases in 2000 to more than 8,000 today. New York City records between 300 and 600 cases every year, according to data from the city's health department.
In August last year, an outbreak in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan sickened 114 people and killed seven. That outbreak led to 90 hospitalizations and was linked by health officials to Legionella bacteria in 12 cooling towers across 10 buildings, including a city-run hospital and a sexual health clinic. About 90 percent of those infected in the Harlem outbreak had underlying risk factors, such as being over 50 years old, smoking, or having chronic lung disease.
