{"id":45762,"date":"2025-08-06T03:47:58","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T08:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ustower.net\/?p=45762"},"modified":"2025-08-06T03:48:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T08:48:03","slug":"third-person-has-died-67-sickened-from-legionnaires-cluster-in-harlem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ustower.net\/?p=45762","title":{"rendered":"Third person has died, 67 sickened from Legionnaires’ cluster in Harlem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A third person has now died and nearly 70 people have fallen ill as part of a growing Legionnaires\u2019 cluster in Harlem<\/a>, city health officials reported Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disease was initially detected on July 25; since then, three people have died and 67 people have been diagnosed, the New York City Health Department revealed in its latest update. That\u2019s up from the same numbers reported just a day ago, with the Health Department said there had been two deaths and 58 confirmed cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legionnaires\u2019, a type of pneumonia, is caused by the bacteria Legionella, which grows in warm water. The cases from the cluster have been found in five Harlem ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039, along with the bordering communities, according to health officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re in those ZIP codes that have demonstrated exposure, then we want you to monitor your symptoms and get to a healthcare provider as soon as you can so you can get access to antibiotics, because it is treatable,\u201d said Dr. Tony Eyssallenne, the deputy chief medical officer for the city\u2019s Health Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All cooling towers operating in the impacted area have been sampled, and the Health Department has told owners of buildings where positive results were found to initiate remediation within a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who have been in the impacted area since late July and have been experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever, cough or difficulty breathing should seek medial attention immediately, according to the Health Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legionnaires\u2019 disease is not transmitted from person to person, and is treatable with antibiotics. It spread by breathing in water vapor containing the Legionella bacteria. Conditions for the bacteria to grow are favorable in things like cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks and condensers of large air-conditioning systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An investigation is ongoing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individuals at higher risk include those 50 years old and older, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems. People living or working in the area who are experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention with a primary care provider or seek urgent care, officials say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, at least five people died of Legionnaires\u2019 disease over the summer at a Manhattan nursing home in the city\u2019s worst outbreak<\/a>, in terms of total cases, since a cooling tower in the Bronx was blamed for an infection that caused 16 deaths. Usually, about 200 to 700 people are diagnosed each year, official health data shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Legionnaires\u2019 disease?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legionnaires\u2019 is a type of pneumonia, or a lung infection, the state DOH said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legionella bacteria can also lead to a milder illness called Pontiac fever, which resembles flu-like symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does it spread?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legionella bacteria spread when someone inhales tiny droplets of contaminated water, commonly found in hot tubs, industrial air conditioning systems, decorative fountains, plumbing systems and even drinking water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outbreaks often occur in large and complex water systems found in places like hotels, hospitals, and cruise ships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bacteria can also survive and spread in soil, occasionally causing infections when people garden using contaminated soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in most cases, people do not transmit Legionnaires\u2019 disease or Pontiac fever to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the symptoms?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of Legionnaires\u2019 disease typically appear between two to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria and can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n