1 dead in Upper East Side Legionnaires' outbreak - Gothamist
A Legionnaires' disease outbreak on New York's Upper East Side has resulted in its first death, with at least 67 confirmed cases. Health officials have ordered the disinfection of cooling towers in the area to contain the bacteria.
Why it matters
Legionnaires' disease outbreaks in dense urban environments pose significant public health risks, requiring rapid identification and remediation of building water systems.
A person has died in the Upper East Side Legionnaires' disease outbreak, the first death reported in a cluster that has now sickened dozens of people, city health officials said Friday.
At least 67 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in connection with the outbreak, and 12 were hospitalized as of Thursday night, according to the city Health Department. Officials said they would not release any information about the person who died, citing the individual's privacy.
“My deepest condolences are with their loved ones,” Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can grow in building water systems and spread through the mist released by cooling towers. It can be fatal but is treatable with antibiotics when caught early, health officials said.
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