Health officials announced on Friday that an individual has passed away due to contracting Legionnaires’ disease.
Authorities are currently investigating to determine the origin of the outbreak in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where over 67 people have been infected and numerous have been hospitalized, according to data from the city Health Department. The focus of the investigation has been on the air conditioning systems situated on top of many large buildings, as they have the potential to emit water vapor carrying the bacteria.
No additional information has been disclosed about the deceased person, including their identity, age, or the circumstances surrounding their illness.
Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia, is treatable but has a fatality rate of approximately 10% as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the previous year, an outbreak in Harlem, New York, resulted in seven fatalities and over 100 people falling ill.
The current outbreak in the city was first detected on July 2 after two individuals were diagnosed in the vicinity.
Testing has confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria, responsible for the disease, in cooling towers of more than 75 buildings in the Upper East Side. These buildings include well-known museums, private schools, and upscale residential complexes.
Although it is unclear which specific buildings contributed to the outbreak, all identified buildings have been instructed to sanitize, drain, and disinfect their cooling towers, which are commonly used for cooling large structures.
Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by inhaling small water droplets containing the bacteria that cause the infection.
Common places for Legionnaires’ disease transmission include hotels, hospitals, or office buildings where the bacteria have contaminated the water supply. The likelihood of contracting the disease at home is lower.
Sources of Legionnaires’ disease may include:
You are unlikely to contract it from:
