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Legionnaires' Outbreak: East Village Tenants Demand Answers
30 Jul
Summary
- East Village tenants rally for increased response to Legionnaires' outbreak.
- Residents haven't showered in two months due to bacteria in water.
- Sixth death reported in separate Upper East Side Legionnaires' cluster.
Residents of Haven Plaza in East Village are rallying on Thursday, demanding a more robust response from New York City officials concerning a Legionnaires' disease outbreak. For two months, residents have been unable to shower due to the building's water source testing positive for the bacteria, leaving them frustrated and seeking answers.
The city's health department has confirmed two cases linked to the building, with a third reported to a councilmember's office. Tenants plan to join local elected officials at noon to call for better communication from building management and health officials.
Separately, the Upper East Side has seen a sixth death attributed to a Legionnaires' disease cluster. As of Tuesday, 92 individuals tested positive in this cluster, with six currently hospitalized. Health officials indicated that no new cases have been diagnosed in over ten days, suggesting the outbreak's source has likely been eliminated.
A cooling tower on Long Island also tested positive for Legionella bacteria but officials stated it posed no risk of circulating contaminated air into the building. Legal action is anticipated by the attorney for the widow of one of the Upper East Side victims.
