Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem leaves at least one dead, 22 others sickened as health officials raise alarm

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A New Yorker has died and not less than 22 others have been sickened within the Legionnaires’ illness outbreak in Harlem, metropolis well being officers stated in an alarming replace.

The cluster of pneumonia-like sickness, initially detected on July 25, has now been recognized in a number of zipcodes throughout Harlem, the New York Metropolis Well being Division stated Wednesday.

Particulars weren't given on the one that had died.

Individuals collect on the Harlem Pleasure celebration on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Put up

Legionella pneumophila micro organism present in water biofilms in 1999. The pneumonia-like sickness was detected in Harlem on July 25. Getty Pictures

Deputy chief medical officer Dr. Toni Eyssallenne urged any New Yorkers with “flu-like signs” to contact their well being care supplier as quickly as attainable.

“Legionnaires’ illness might be successfully handled if identified early,” Eyssallenne stated.

Legionella colonies illuminated utilizing ultraviolet mild. Getty Pictures

“However New Yorkers at greater threat, like adults aged 50 and older, those that smoke or have power lung situations needs to be particularly conscious of their signs and search care as quickly as signs start.”

A map of the zip codes affected.

Though doubtlessly lethal if not handled in time, Legionnaires’ illness will not be contagious and might be handled with antibiotics, the division stated.

The illness is often transferred via water provides contaminated with Legionella micro organism that may seem in plumbing methods and discover favorable situations in cooling towers, whirlpool spas, scorching tubs, humidifiers and condensers in massive air-con methods.

Legionnaire micro organism on a plate at a lab. There was an outbreak of the illness in Harlem, NY. Brigitte Stelzer

All operable cooling towers within the space beneath investigation have been sampled — and the Well being Division has ordered constructing homeowners with optimistic outcomes to remediate the difficulty inside 24 hours, officers stated.

The areas the place instances have been confirmed are in 5 Harlem zip codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039, together with the bordering communities, the well being division stated.