Home / Health / Legionnaires' Disease Claims Second Life in NYC
Legionnaires' Disease Claims Second Life in NYC
19 Jul
Summary
- A second person died from Legionnaires' disease in New York City.
- The Upper East Side outbreak has infected 72 people.
- Health officials believe the exposure source has likely been eliminated.
A second death has been confirmed in connection with a Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side. The New York City Health Department announced the fatality on Saturday, following the first death reported Friday. This outbreak has now infected 72 people.
Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is caused by bacteria found in warm, stagnant water. Cooling towers of large buildings are a common focus for health officials investigating such outbreaks. Property owners with positive test results have been ordered to drain and disinfect affected towers.
While the specific source of this outbreak has not been identified, health officials noted a sustained decrease in new cases. This trend indicates that the source of exposure to the Legionella bacteria has likely been eliminated. Legionnaires' disease is treatable, but it can be fatal, with a 10% mortality rate from complications, according to the CDC.
