A fourth person has died in connection with a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City, health officials confirmed Thursday. The announcement came as the city revealed that several cooling towers testing positive for the bacteria were located in government-operated buildings.
The outbreak, centered in Central Harlem, has been ongoing since late July and has sickened dozens of residents. As of Thursday, 17 individuals had been hospitalized, according to the New York City Department of Health.
Officials reported that the bacteria responsible for the disease was found in 12 cooling towers across 10 buildings, including a city-run hospital and a sexual health clinic. Eleven of the affected towers have already undergone remediation, with the last one scheduled for treatment by Friday.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrive in warm water and spread through building water systems. Health experts say cooling towers, which circulate water and air to regulate building temperatures, have been linked to the current outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that symptoms, such as cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, can appear between two and 14 days after exposure.
Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said the decline in new cases suggests the source of the bacteria has been contained, but she urged residents and workers in Central Harlem to seek medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms.
The World Health Organization advises building managers to regularly clean and disinfect cooling towers, maintain proper chlorine levels in spa pools, and flush unused water taps weekly to reduce bacterial growth.
State health officials also recommend preventative measures for homeowners, including draining garden hoses, following manufacturer guidelines for water filter maintenance, checking chlorine levels in pools and hot tubs, and flushing hot water heaters twice a year.
