A second person has died in connection with a growing Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side, as confirmed cases continue to climb.
The death toll comes as at least 72 people have been sickened by the outbreak as of Saturday, up from 67 reported earlier in the week.
Nine individuals remained hospitalized as of Saturday evening, while 50 others have been discharged following treatment.
Health officials say an aggressive strategy of testing, enforcement, and remediation appears to have stopped the source of exposure.
Investigators have traced the outbreak to Legionella pneumophila bacteria detected in 76 cooling towers across the Upper East Side and one on the Upper West Side.
Buildings that tested positive, including a prominent museum, have been ordered to clean and disinfect their cooling towers.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can multiply in building water systems such as cooling towers.
Cooling towers, commonly located on rooftops, help regulate large building cooling systems and can release mist containing the bacteria into the air.
Officials emphasize the outbreak is not linked to the city's drinking water or indoor air conditioning units.
Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and headaches.
The disease spreads through inhalation of contaminated water droplets and is not transmitted from person to person.
Older adults, smokers, and individuals with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness.
About one in ten people diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease die from complications, underscoring the seriousness of the infection.
Health officials urge anyone who has been in the affected area since late June and develops flu-like symptoms to contact a health care provider immediately.
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with antibiotics can significantly improve outcomes for those infected.
