The lethal legionnaires’ illness outbreak in Harlem continues to unfold, forcing residents to be hyper-vigilant and on the look-out for the flu-like signs related to the sickness.
In keeping with an replace on Tuesday from New York Metropolis Division of Well being, a 3rd demise has been linked to the rising cluster. Well being officers have recognized 67 circumstances of the illness throughout 5 ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039. These numbers mark a slight improve from Monday night time, when the division reported 58 whole circumstances, and two deaths.
“People living or working in the area with flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing should contact a health care provider immediately,” the division mentioned on X. That is is particularly necessary for high-risk people, together with those that are “50 and older, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems,” it additional warned.
The outbreak was first detected on July 25, with officers reporting 22 circumstances. Since then, an investigation has been launched an investigation into the cluster and “remediation required by the Department has been completed for the 11 cooling towers with initial positive screening results showing the presence of Legionella pneumophila, a type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.”
Legionnaires’ illness is a sort of pneumonia attributable to the micro organism Legionella, which thrives in heat water. It’s contracted by inhaling water vapor that accommodates, nevertheless it doesn’t go from individual to individual.
“This is not an issue with any building’s plumbing system,” officers mentioned. “Residents in these ZIP codes can continue to drink water, bathe, shower, cook, and use your air conditioner.”
Initially Revealed: August 6, 2025 at 8:01 AM EDT
