Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in Harlem Leaves 3 Dead and Over 65 Sick

Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in Harlem Leaves 3 Dead and Over 65 Sick

There has been a significant outbreak of the respiratory illness known as Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem, New York City. So, it is being reported that at least three people have died and between 67 and 70 individuals have been diagnosed with the disease in the area.

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium, which thrives in warm, stagnant water. In New York City, many of the outbreaks are caused by water vapor spewed from rooftop cooling towers. The bacteria can float along on water vapor for sometimes thousands of feet before someone inhales the pathogen and is sickened, researchers believe.

Most healthy people don’t become sick after being exposed to the bacteria. But many people are vulnerable, including older adults, smokers and people with chronic diseases and compromised immune systems.

On average, about 200 to 500 people annually are diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease in New York, and they generally require hospitalization. Just over a dozen die each year.

#Repost @ABC7NY

The NYC Dept. of Health says 67 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease since July 25, killing 3 people.

People living or working in the area with flu-like symptoms are urged to contact a health care provider immediately.https://t.co/7sfQlRNsrH pic.twitter.com/9CueUzWURK

— Uptown Collective (@Uptowncollectiv) August 6, 2025

Legionnaire’s disease got its name after a 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia, where a large outbreak of a mysterious pneumonia occurred. Months later, scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered it was caused by a new bacterium, now called Legionella, which they realized was responsible for many cases of pneumonia each year. For example, between 2023 and 2024, over 13,000 cases of this illness occurred within the U.S.

Because the cases of infection are so localized, residents in other areas are currently not considered to be at risk. The 11 cooling towers thought to be the source of this particular outbreak have been remediated.

Due to the nature of how this cluster of Legionnaires’ disease is affecting specific buildings, the spokesperson also noted that people living in other boroughs should not be worried, as long as they are not visiting the buildings in the outbreak area.

Officials say the 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.

People living or working in the area with flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing are urged to contact a health care provider immediately.

Officials warn that it’s especially important for people at higher risk, including those ages 50 and older, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems, to get care if they have symptoms.

Despite the remediation of contaminated cooling towers, public health officials warn that additional cases could still arise due to the incubation period of the disease and urge continued vigilance and early medical intervention, as prompt antibiotic treatment significantly improves outcomes.

Symptoms of the disease can take up to 14 days after exposure to show up and can include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches and shortness of breath.

Legionnaires’ disease can be treated with antibiotics, and most healthy people who get infected usually get better. However, about one in 10 people who get Legionnaires’ disease die from it, according to the CDC.

It is perhaps a great time to assess the status of how NYC monitors the maintenance of buildings, including cooling towers. Building owners or managers sometimes perform only basic cleanings or infrequent maintenance, which allows for the buildup of scale, corrosion, and bacteria (especially Legionella). Overlooked issues, such as improper water treatment and failure to monitor or adjust system pH, lead to increased health risks.

To prevent Legionnaires’ disease, NYC building owners are required to register cooling towers and to routinely test the water for the presence of Legionella. You can look up results of our inspections of cooling towers: https://t.co/prnGYyaxXt pic.twitter.com/tHQjWc3UXi

— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) June 2, 2022

I will simply point out that New York City is facing a potential budget gap of $10.6 billion in fiscal 2027, and the shortfall may swell to $13 billion in fiscal 2028. Therefore, their budget choices are going to have to be made, and often, critical infrastructure and building inspections don’t make the cut. I anticipate that both the deficit and the problems will increase more rapidly if “Democratic Socialist” (aka Communist) Zohran Mamdani wins the upcoming mayor’s race.

Politicians clearly have forgotten that infrastructure costs money to maintain in their race to promise all sorts of “free” stuff in the quest for votes.

New York City is getting a warning about the realities of life in a third-world communist region. Hopefully, the warning will be heeded and the outbreak will end soon.

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