New York City health officials are investigating a cluster of 10 Legionnaires’ disease cases on the Upper East Side, the city health department said.
Officials confirmed the first two cases on Thursday. By Friday night, the count had grown to 10, all concentrated in the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville neighborhoods, officials said.
All cooling towers in the area are being tested, according to the department. The cluster, officials said, was not connected to plumbing and residents in the affected ZIP codes — 10028 and 10128 — could safely drink tap water, shower, cook and run air conditioners.
Past outbreaks, including a deadly one last summer, have been the result of the Legionella bacteria spreading through the air from mist let off by cooling towers.
Last year, towers at Harlem Hospital and a nearby construction site were the cause of an outbreak that killed seven people, hospitalized 90 and infected more than 100, total. A Gothamist investigation later found that the hospital had ignored its own cooling tower maintenance plan and failed to conduct weekly rapid tests for the bacteria.
Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia. People get sick by inhaling contaminated water vapor; it does not spread from person to person. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough and muscle aches.
“Legionnaires’ disease is deadly but can be effectively treated if diagnosed early,” NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin said in a statement. “New Yorkers at higher risk, including anyone who is 50 and older, those who smoke, or people with chronic lung conditions, should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin.”
Health officials are urging anyone who lives in the area or has visited since late June to contact a health care provider if they start to develop flu-like symptoms. New Yorkers who need help finding a provider can call 311 or (844) 692-4692.
