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18h ago

Third Fatality as Legionnaires’ Cluster in Central Harlem Hits 67 Cases

Officials have completed remediation of 11 contaminated cooling towers after detecting Legionella bacteria.

FILE - This 1978 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Legionella pneumophila bacteria which are responsible for causing the pneumonic disease Legionnaires' disease. (Francis Chandler/CDC via AP, File)
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Colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) with moderately-high magnification of 5000X, depicting a large grouping of Gram-negative Legionella pneumophila bacteria
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Overview

  • The New York City Health Department reported a third death and 67 confirmed cases in Central Harlem, up from 58 cases and two fatalities on August 4.
  • The cluster spans five ZIP codes—10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039—and is linked to inhalation of aerosolized water from rooftop cooling towers.
  • All 11 cooling towers that initially tested positive for Legionella pneumophila have undergone mandated cleaning and disinfection.
  • Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Toni Eyssallenne urged anyone in the affected ZIP codes with cough, fever or breathing difficulties to seek medical attention immediately.
  • Legionnaires’ disease is a non-transmissible form of pneumonia treated with antibiotics and poses the highest risk to adults over 50, smokers and people with chronic lung or immune conditions.