New York City officials announced a fifth death on Monday, bringing the total number of deaths linked to the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem to five. The outbreak has resulted in 108 cases and five fatalities since it began weeks ago, with 14 people currently hospitalized.
The New York City Health Department confirmed the latest death had been under investigation for some time and was part of the cluster. Cooling towers, structures that use water and a fan to cool buildings, are believed to be the source of the outbreak.
City officials have said the bacteria grows in warm water and can be spread through breathing in contaminated water vapor. The city has linked the outbreak to 12 affected cooling towers in Central Harlem, which have been fully drained, cleaned, and disinfected.
One building, Harlem Hospital, is connected to the outbreak, according to Mayor Eric Adams. The number of new cases of Legionnaires’ disease being reported has declined, suggesting that the bacteria’s source has been contained.
Construction workers who were hospitalized with the disease are suing a construction company believed responsible for the outbreak. Civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton will hold a press conference on Wednesday to announce the lawsuit.
Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/nyc-legionnaires-outbreak-fifth-person-dies-amid-cluster-harlem-cases-rise-108/17579230