A cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases has sickened at least 83 people and led to three deaths in New York City, prompting health officials to investigate the source of the outbreak. The bacteria that cause the disease, Legionella, are believed to have originated from a cooling tower.
Cooling towers use water to cool large buildings and disperse mist into the air. If the water becomes too warm or stagnant, Legionella can grow and infect people who inhale the mist. However, the disease cannot be spread from person to person.
Health officials tested dozens of cooling towers in Central Harlem and directed building owners with positive tests to clean their towers using a chemical that kills the bacteria. Although cleaning efforts have been completed, the incubation period for Legionnaires’ disease is two to 10 days, according to the World Health Organization.
Those living in affected zip codes are advised to contact healthcare providers immediately if they experience flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, headaches, and shortness of breath. The disease is treatable with antibiotics but can be fatal if left untreated.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10% of Legionnaires’ cases result in death, with older adults and people with weakened immune systems being more vulnerable. Each year, around 6,000 Legionnaires’ disease cases are reported in the United States, but actual numbers may be higher due to difficulty distinguishing the disease from other types of pneumonia.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/05/health/legionnaires-disease-outbreak-nyc