A person has died after contracting Legionnaires' disease in New York City, health officials confirmed Friday. The death marks the first fatality in an ongoing outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side that has infected at least 67 people and led to dozens of hospitalizations, according to city Health Department data.
Outbreak Details and Investigation
Investigators are working to pinpoint the source of the outbreak, which the city began tracking on July 2 after two people were infected in the area. Much of the scrutiny has focused on air conditioning cooling towers atop large buildings, which can release water vapor carrying Legionella bacteria. Tests have identified living or dead Legionella bacteria in cooling towers on more than 75 Upper East Side buildings, including prominent museums, private schools, and luxury apartment houses. All affected buildings have been ordered to clean, drain, and disinfect their cooling towers, though it remains unclear which, if any, contributed to the outbreak.
Officials have not released additional information about the deceased, including their identity, age, or the timeline of their illness.
What Is Legionnaires' Disease?
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease is treatable but kills about 10% of patients. Last year, seven people died and more than 100 were sickened during an outbreak in New York's Harlem neighborhood.
Transmission and Risk Factors
People contract Legionnaires' disease by inhaling tiny water droplets containing the bacteria. Common sources include air conditioning systems, humidifiers, spa pools, hot tubs, and infrequently used taps and showers. It is typically contracted in places like hotels, hospitals, or offices where the bacteria have entered the water supply. It is less common to catch at home. The disease is not spread by drinking contaminated water, person-to-person contact, or from natural water sources like ponds, lakes, or rivers.
