Legionnaires' outbreak hits New York as officials rush to test water towers
New York City officials are addressing a Legionnaires' disease outbreak that has resulted in 46 cases and multiple hospitalizations. The city has identified contaminated cooling towers as the source and is conducting an aggressive testing and cleaning campaign.
Why it matters
Public health outbreaks in densely populated urban areas require rapid government intervention to prevent further spread and ensure community safety.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Madeline Halpert Getty Images At the town hall on the Upper East Side church this week, New York City Health Commissioner Alister Martin said the city had identified the outbreak early For the past few days, Justine Kirby has been sporting an N95 mask every time she leaves her house to walk in her quiet Upper East Side neighbourhood.
She is keeping her apartment windows closed, too, as an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease grows to 46 cases, which the city has linked to contaminated water cooling towers.
The cluster of Legionnaires' infections - a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria - has raised alarms among residents in the community, who packed a town hall in an Upper East side church this week to pose a series of questions to New York City's health department.
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