What You Need to Know About Legionnaires’ Disease Linked to Deaths in New York

New York City health authorities are investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in two neighborhoods on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. As of July 21, 76 confirmed cases had been reported, and four people had died.

According to health officials, the most likely source of the bacteria responsible for the outbreak is one or more cooling towers located in the affected area. Cooling towers are water-based systems typically installed on the roofs of buildings and used to regulate the temperature of equipment, including air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. The New York City Department of Health is inspecting all such facilities in the outbreak zone.

Authorities emphasized that the outbreak is not linked to residential water supply systems, meaning residents can safely use tap water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and showering. Home air-conditioning systems also do not pose a risk because they do not use water to cool indoor air. The disease does not spread from person to person.

What is Legionnaires’ disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of bacterial pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. These bacteria grow in warm water and can spread through building water systems.

Legionella can be found in shower systems, hot tubs, cooling towers, and other environments where warm water is present.

People usually become infected by inhaling tiny droplets of contaminated water containing the bacteria. Highly vulnerable hospital patients may also become infected through contaminated water or ice, while newborns can be exposed during water births.

Symptoms of the disease

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms usually appear 2–14 days after exposure and may include:

cough;

high fever;

headache;

muscle aches;

shortness of breath.

Who is at higher risk?

The risk of severe illness is higher among people who:

are over 50 years old;

smoke or use electronic cigarettes;

have chronic lung diseases;

have weakened immune systems.

Why is it called Legionnaires’ disease?

The disease received its name after a major outbreak in 1976 among attendees of an American Legion convention in Philadelphia.

Can Legionnaires’ disease be fatal?

Yes. According to the CDC, approximately one in 10 people who become infected dies from complications of the disease.

This is why early diagnosis and prompt treatment with appropriate antibiotics are essential.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that without treatment, a patient’s condition usually worsens during the first week. Possible complications include:

respiratory failure;

septic shock;

kidney failure;

multiple organ failure.

How can Legionnaires’ disease be prevented?

According to the WHO, building owners and professionals responsible for water systems can significantly reduce the risk of bacterial growth by:

regularly cleaning and disinfecting cooling towers;

maintaining proper chlorine levels in swimming pools and hot tubs;

flushing unused water taps in buildings every week.

How can people reduce the risk at home?

Experts recommend:

draining garden hoses regularly before use;

following manufacturers’ instructions for cleaning and replacing water filters;

regularly checking chlorine levels in pools and hot tubs;

flushing hot water heaters twice a year.

These measures help prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria and reduce the risk of infection.

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