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NYC Outbreak: 11 Dead, 94 Sickened by Legionnaires'
29 Aug
Summary
- Eleven people have died and 94 have been sickened in the outbreak.
- Cooling towers were disinfected, reducing exposure risk to residents.
- An investigation into the outbreak's exact source is still ongoing.
A cluster of Legionnaires' disease on Manhattan's Upper East Side has tragically claimed 11 lives, with 94 individuals falling ill, city health officials confirmed. The last diagnosed case occurred more than six weeks ago, and all patients who had been hospitalized have since been discharged. This marks a somber conclusion to the immediate health crisis.
Authorities mandated that dozens of buildings testing positive for Legionella bacteria drain, clean, and disinfect their cooling towers. Residents in the affected ZIP codes (10128, 10028, 10075) are no longer considered at risk of exposure. An official investigation into the outbreak's exact source is ongoing, with results anticipated in September.
In light of the outbreak, the City Council plans to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. New legislation aimed at strengthening inspections of cooling towers in New York City was recently enacted by Governor Kathy Hochul.
