Home / Health / NYC Ends Legionnaires' Outbreak: 11 Dead, No New Cases
NYC Ends Legionnaires' Outbreak: 11 Dead, No New Cases
30 Aug
Summary
- Eleven New Yorkers died from Legionnaires' disease this summer.
- The outbreak infected 94 people, with no new cases in six weeks.
- Legionella bacteria were found in 77 cooling towers across the Upper East Side.
New York City officials announced the closure of a significant Legionnaires' disease outbreak that occurred over the summer on the Upper East Side. Health Commissioner Alister Martin confirmed that two additional deaths have been linked to the outbreak, bringing the total fatalities to eleven.
The outbreak led to 94 confirmed cases of the disease, with the last diagnosis reported more than six weeks ago. Health authorities stated that there is no evidence of ongoing transmission, and the final hospitalized patient has recovered.
Investigations identified Legionella bacteria in at least 77 cooling towers across 160 screened buildings. Remediation orders were issued for all affected structures, including prominent institutions like the Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While the immediate threat has passed, the Department of Health is continuing efforts to match bacterial samples from cooling towers with those from patients, with findings expected in September. The disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is contracted through inhaling contaminated water vapor and is not spread person-to-person.
