Two Dead in New York City Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak; Officials Trace Source to Upper East Side Cooling Towers
Two people have died in connection with a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases concentrated on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene confirmed Saturday.
As of the latest count, 72 cases have been reported. Nine people remain hospitalized, while 50 others who were previously treated have been discharged. The death toll, which initially stood at one, rose after a second fatality was confirmed over the weekend.
“We are heartbroken to learn that another New Yorker has lost their life to Legionnaires’ disease on the Upper East Side. Our deepest condolences are with their loved ones as they grieve,” Dr. Alister F. Martin, the city’s health commissioner, said in a statement.
Investigators have zeroed in on cooling towers — rooftop ventilation systems used to regulate building temperature — as the likely source. Tests revealed that cooling towers in 76 buildings tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Owners of those towers were ordered to drain, clean and disinfect the equipment, and the city said all 76 buildings have now completed the required remediation.
Health officials noted a sharp decline in new illnesses after July 8, suggesting the containment measures are working. Still, the outbreak has drawn comparisons to a larger cluster that struck Harlem in 2023, which sickened 92 people and killed seven. That earlier outbreak, also traced to cooling towers, spurred the city to pass a law in May requiring more frequent inspections of the equipment and steeper fines for property owners who fail to comply.
The recurrence of Legionnaires’ disease in building cooling systems underscores a persistent public health challenge in dense urban environments. Cooling towers work by pulling outside air through warm water to expel heat. When bacteria contaminate the water vapor, people who inhale it — particularly those who spend time near the towers — can become infected.
Public health experts point out that cooling towers, along with hot tubs, decorative fountains, and certain plumbing systems, are especially vulnerable to Legionella growth because they maintain warm, stagnant conditions ideal for the bacteria. The city stressed that this particular outbreak is not linked to drinking water, showers, or air conditioners.
New York typically records hundreds of Legionnaires’ disease cases each year. However, this cluster is concentrated in three ZIP codes — 10128, 10028 and 10075 — all on the Upper East Side. Anyone who has spent time in that area over the past few weeks is urged to watch for symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, confusion and diarrhea.
Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and can be effectively treated with antibiotics if caught early. But the disease can be severe, particularly for people over 50, those who smoke or vape, and individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or kidney, liver or lung disease.
There is no vaccine or preventive medication, and health officials say masks do not appear to offer protection against the bacteria. Most people exposed to Legionella never get sick, but high or repeated exposure, especially among vulnerable groups, can lead to serious illness.
The city health department continues to monitor the situation and will update the public as new information becomes available.