New York Governor Kathy Hochul downplayed concerns about the city’s handling of the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem, just as the death toll rose to five and cases climbed to 108. The pneumonia-like illness has sickened at least 14 people who were hospitalized and flooded five ZIP codes in Upper Manhattan.
City officials announced that 12 cooling towers, including four on government-owned buildings, tested positive for live Legionella bacteria and have been drained, cleaned, and disinfected. However, Governor Hochul sidestepped questions about stricter inspection rules and penalties for building owners who fail to test regularly.
“We respect the city’s efforts, but we’re monitoring this intensely and offering assistance,” Hochul said. “But I’m concerned.” The governor also acknowledged that Legionnaires’ disease can be prevented by monitoring water wells, but stopped short of committing to new measures.
Building owners are required by law to test for the bacteria every 90 days. However, only about 1,200 cooling towers were inspected during the first six months of this year, compared to nearly 5,100 at the same point in 2017.
The health department has urged those who live or work in the area and are experiencing flu-like symptoms to see a healthcare provider immediately. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. The disease is easily curable with antibiotics if treated early.
This outbreak follows previous Legionnaires’ disease cases in New York City, including a 2022 nursing home outbreak that killed five people and a 2015 Opera House Hotel outbreak that infected over 100 and killed 12.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/08/19/us-news/fifth-person-dies-in-legionnaires-disease-outbreak-in-harlem-as-cases-rise-to-108