Two folks have died and a minimum of 58 folks have been recognized with Legionnaires’ illness in a cluster that broke out within the Harlem space of New York City final week, officers mentioned on Monday.
The New York Metropolis Well being Division had reported on Thursday that one individual had died and 22 folks have been sick within the cluster.
“Folks dwelling or working within the space with flu-like signs, resembling cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, or issue respiration ought to contact a well being care supplier instantly,” the division mentioned in a press release on Monday. “It’s particularly essential for folks at greater danger — together with these ages 50 and older, cigarette people who smoke, and other people with continual lung illness or compromised immune techniques — to get care if they’ve signs.”
Legionnaires’ illness is a kind of pneumonia that’s brought on by the micro organism Legionella, which grows in heat water, well being officers mentioned, and other people can get Legionnaires’ illness by inhaling water vapor that incorporates Legionella micro organism.
A view reveals the downtown Manhattan skyline in New York Metropolis, U.S., July 22, 2025.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
“Anybody in these zip codes with flu-like signs ought to contact a well being care supplier as quickly as attainable,” mentioned Performing Well being Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “Legionnaires’ illness could be successfully handled if recognized early, however New Yorkers at greater danger, like adults aged 50 and older and those that smoke or have continual lung circumstances, ought to be particularly conscious of their signs and search care as quickly as signs start.”
Legionnaires’ illness could be brought on by plumbing techniques the place circumstances are favorable for Legionella development, resembling cooling towers, whirlpool spas, sizzling tubs, humidifiers, sizzling water tanks and evaporative condensers of enormous air-conditioning techniques, well being officers mentioned.
Folks can get Legionnaires’ illness by inhaling water vapor that incorporates Legionella micro organism, although officers reminded those who the illness can’t be transmitted from individual to individual and could be handled with antibiotics.
The respiratory illness takes its title from an outbreak on the Pennsylvania American Legion conference held on the Bellevue-Stratford Lodge in Philadelphia in July 1976 and the bacterium believed to be accountable is present in soil and grows in water, resembling air-conditioning ducts, storage tanks and rivers.
No particulars concerning the two individuals who died have been launched by officers as of Tuesday.
