A second person has died in connection with the ongoing Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side, according to the New York City Department of Health.
Health officials reported that the outbreak has now infected 72 people, with two deaths confirmed. The first fatality was announced on Friday, while the second was confirmed the following day.
New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin expressed condolences to the families affected, describing the latest death as a tragic loss for the community.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which multiply in warm, stagnant water. During outbreaks, public health authorities typically investigate cooling towers associated with large building air-conditioning systems, as these are common sources of bacterial spread.
As part of the response, building owners whose cooling towers tested positive for Legionella have been instructed to drain, disinfect and sanitize the systems to prevent further transmission.
Although investigators have not identified the exact source of the current outbreak, health officials report a sustained decline in new infections, suggesting that the source of exposure has likely been eliminated.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Legionnaires' disease can usually be treated with antibiotics, but approximately 10% of patients die from complications associated with the infection.
New York experienced another major Legionnaires' disease outbreak last year, when more than 100 people became ill and seven deaths were recorded in the Harlem neighborhood.
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