New York City health officials confirmed Friday that the first death has been linked to a growing Legionnaires’ disease outbreak on the Upper East Side.
The outbreak has now sickened 67 people as of Thursday night, up from 63 the previous day, with 12 individuals remaining hospitalized.
The Health Commissioner expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and noted that no further personal details would be released out of respect for privacy.
Investigators have traced the outbreak to Legionella pneumophila bacteria detected in 76 cooling towers on the Upper East Side and one on the Upper West Side.
Several buildings that tested positive, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, have been ordered to clean and disinfect their cooling systems.
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, typically located on rooftops, help regulate large building cooling systems and can emit mist containing the bacteria into the air.
Health officials stressed that the outbreak is not connected to the city’s drinking water or standard indoor air conditioning units.
Symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and headaches.
The disease spreads through inhaled contaminated water droplets and is not transmitted from person to person.
Older adults, smokers, and individuals with chronic lung conditions or weakened immune systems face the greatest risk of severe illness.
Approximately one in ten people diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease dies from complications related to the infection.
Health officials urge anyone who has been in the affected area since late June and develops flu-like symptoms to seek medical care immediately.
Early diagnosis and prompt antibiotic treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes, according to city health authorities.
