Legionnaires’ disease kills second in Manhattan’s Upper East Side outbreak

New York City health officials announced Saturday that a second person has died in connection with a growing Legionnaires’ disease outbreak on Manhattan’s Upper East Side as the number of confirmed infections continued to rise.

“We are heartbroken to learn that another New Yorker has lost their life to Legionnaires’ disease on the Upper East Side. Our deepest condolences are with their loved ones as they grieve,” New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said in a statement.

“While we mourn this loss, the data are also encouraging,” Martin continued. “Our aggressive strategy of testing, enforcement, and remediation appears to have stopped the source of exposure.”

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A 3D illustration of Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. (iStock)

Health officials announced on Friday that the first person had died. The deaths come as the outbreak has sickened at least 72 people as of Saturday, up from 67 cases reported earlier. Nine people remained hospitalized as of Saturday evening, with 50 others having been discharged, according to city health officials.

Investigators are tracing the outbreak to Legionella pneumophila bacteria found in 76 cooling towers across the Upper East Side and one on the Upper West Side. Buildings that tested positive, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, have been ordered to clean and disinfect their cooling towers.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which naturally occurs in water but can multiply in building water systems such as cooling towers. The illness can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

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A blood sample tests positive for Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease. (iStock)

Cooling towers, commonly found on rooftops, help regulate large building cooling systems and can release mist containing the bacteria. Health officials have emphasized that the outbreak is not linked to New York City’s drinking water or indoor air conditioning.

Health officials urged anyone who lives, works or has visited the affected area since late June and develops flu-like symptoms to contact a health care provider immediately.

Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches and headaches. The disease spreads through contaminated water droplets and is not spread from person to person.

New York City health officials are urging anyone who has visited Manhattan’s Upper East Side since late June to watch for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease. (iStock)

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Older adults, smokers and people with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 10 people diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease die from complications.

City health officials said early diagnosis and prompt treatment with antibiotics can significantly improve outcomes for patients who become infected.