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NYC Identifies Harlem Buildings With Legionella-Positive Cooling Towers

Officials have released the building locations with Legionella-positive cooling towers, with genetic testing underway to identify the outbreak’s specific source.

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Stock image of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe pneumonia.
Central Harlem
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Overview

  • City health officials have pinpointed 12 contaminated cooling towers across 10 Central Harlem buildings, including Harlem Hospital.
  • Eleven of the 12 towers have undergone biocide remediation and the final tower is scheduled for treatment by Friday.
  • The cluster has sickened about 90–99 residents, hospitalized 15–17 and resulted in at least four deaths, with new cases now trending downward.
  • Culture and genetic analyses continue at the city lab to link environmental samples with patient isolates and confirm the precise origin of the outbreak.
  • Community leaders are pressing for greater transparency and State Senator Cordell Cleare has proposed legislation to mandate more frequent testing, faster remediation and higher penalties.