3 dead and at least 67 sick from growing Legionnaires' disease cluster in New York City

Three individuals have died, and at least 67 others have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease in a cluster that emerged in the Harlem area of New York City last week, according to an update released by officials on Tuesday.

Last week, when the New York City Health Department reported the cluster of cases, they noted that one person had died and 22 individuals were affected.

The cases are concentrated in five ZIP codes in central Harlem, the health department stated, with a spokesperson indicating that the outbreak is not anticipated to spread to other areas.

“People residing or working in the area who experience flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, or breathing difficulties, should immediately contact a healthcare provider,” the department advised in an earlier statement on Monday. “It is particularly crucial for those at higher risk -- including individuals aged 50 and older, cigarette smokers, and those with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems -- to seek medical attention if they exhibit symptoms.”

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, which thrives in warm water, health officials explained. People can contract Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling water vapor containing the Legionella bacteria.

Legionnaires’ disease can be caused by plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for Legionella growth, such as cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems, health officials said.

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