Two individuals have died and no less than 58 individuals have been identified 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 particular person had died and 22 individuals have been sick within the cluster.
“Individuals residing or working within the space with flu-like signs, reminiscent of cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, or issue respiratory ought to contact a well being care supplier instantly,” the division mentioned in an announcement on Monday. “It’s particularly vital for individuals at greater threat — together with these ages 50 and older, cigarette people who smoke, and other people with persistent lung illness or compromised immune programs — to get care if they’ve signs.”
Legionnaires’ illness is a sort 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 Appearing Well being Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “Legionnaires’ illness could be successfully handled if identified early, however New Yorkers at greater threat, like adults aged 50 and older and people who smoke or have persistent lung circumstances, must be particularly conscious of their signs and search care as quickly as signs start.”
Legionnaires’ illness could be brought on by plumbing programs the place circumstances are favorable for Legionella progress, reminiscent of cooling towers, whirlpool spas, scorching tubs, humidifiers, scorching water tanks and evaporative condensers of enormous air-conditioning programs, well being officers mentioned.
Individuals can get Legionnaires’ illness by inhaling water vapor that incorporates Legionella micro organism, although officers reminded folks that the illness can’t be transmitted from individual to individual and could be handled with antibiotics.
The respiratory illness takes its identify from an outbreak on the Pennsylvania American Legion conference held on the Bellevue-Stratford Resort in Philadelphia in July 1976 and the bacterium believed to be accountable is present in soil and grows in water, reminiscent of air-conditioning ducts, storage tanks and rivers.
No particulars in regards to the two individuals who died have been launched by officers as of Tuesday.
