A recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City has been linked to poor maintenance of air conditioning systems, particularly cooling towers in apartment buildings. At least 67 people have been infected, with 24 hospitalized and three deaths reported. The disease is caused by bacteria that thrive in warm water temperatures, and outbreaks are more common as cities warm. Health officials expect the number of infections to rise. Experts say the issue is not surprising, given that infrastructure is often not designed for extreme weather conditions. Proper maintenance of cooling towers can prevent outbreaks, but many communities are still vulnerable due to chronic health conditions and lack of access to healthcare.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/08/06/legionnaires-disease-nyc-outbreak-ac/85531559007