United States: New York City health officials confirmed a fifth death on Monday linked to the ongoing Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem.
The outbreak, which began several weeks ago, has now caused 108 cases and five deaths, with 14 people still hospitalized, according to the city’s Health Department.
Officials said the newly reported death had been “under investigation for some time,” but was officially confirmed as part of the Harlem cluster on Monday.
Source of the Outbreak
The city has traced the outbreak to contaminated cooling towers — structures that use water and fans to help cool buildings. Legionnaires’ disease spreads when people breathe in water vapor containing Legionella bacteria, which thrives in warm water.
On Friday, the city finished treating all 12 cooling towers in Central Harlem that tested positive for live Legionella bacteria. Each tower was drained, cleaned, and disinfected.
Last week, officials publicly identified the buildings where contaminated towers were found, including Harlem Hospital.
The affected cooling tower sites include:
- BRP Companies, Lafayette Development LLC, 2239 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard
- BVK, 215 West 125th Street
- Commonwealth Local Development, 301 West 124th Street
- CUNY – City College Marshak Science Building, 181 Convent Avenue
- Harlem Center Condo, 317 Lenox Avenue
- NYC Economic Development Corporation, 40 West 137th Street
- NYC Health Department Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic, 2238 Fifth Avenue
- NYC Health + Hospitals Harlem Hospital, 506 Lenox Avenue
- The New York Hotel Trades Council Harlem Health Center, 133 Morningside Avenue
- Wharton Properties, 100 West 125th Street (3 of 8 towers)
Signs of Progress
Officials say the number of new cases is now declining, which suggests that the source of the bacteria has been contained. Still, they are working to confirm which tower was directly responsible for the outbreak.
Legal Action Ahead
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and national activist Rev. Al Sharpton announced Monday that they will hold a press conference Wednesday to file a lawsuit against the construction company believed to be responsible for the deadly outbreak.
Crump, along with law firm Weitz & Luxenberg, is representing construction workers in Harlem who were hospitalized after contracting Legionnaires’ disease in late July.
How to Protect Yourself from Legionnaires’ Disease
While most healthy people are at low risk, those with weaker immune systems, older adults, and smokers are more vulnerable. Here are some safety tips:
- Avoid standing water: Don’t spend long periods near hot tubs, fountains, or cooling towers if they look poorly maintained.
- Check your building systems: For landlords and property managers, ensure cooling towers, plumbing systems, and water tanks are regularly cleaned and disinfected.
- Be cautious with home devices: Clean showerheads, humidifiers, and water filters regularly to prevent bacteria growth.
- Quit smoking: Smoking increases the risk of severe illness if exposed to Legionella.
- Seek medical help quickly: If you develop cough, fever, shortness of breath, or chest pain, especially after being near water systems, see a doctor right away. Early treatment with antibiotics is effective.