Second person dies in Manhattan Legionnaires' cluster
New York City health officials have confirmed a second death linked to a Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side. While 72 cases have been identified, authorities report a decline in new diagnoses and believe the source of the bacteria has been contained.
Why it matters
Public health outbreaks in densely populated urban areas require rapid identification and remediation to prevent further loss of life and manage community panic.
The New York City Health Department says two people have now died in connection with a Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side.
The department confirmed the second death late Saturday, but also said its data shows a sustained decline in newly diagnosed cases.
“While we mourn this loss, the data are also encouraging,” Dr. Alister Martin, the city health commissioner, said. “Our aggressive strategy of testing, enforcement, and remediation appears to have stopped the source of exposure. We directed every building with an initial positive test result to immediately clean and disinfect its cooling tower, and every one has completed that work.”
Officials announced the first death in connection with the cluster on Friday. As of Saturday, the Health Department said it had identified a total of 72 cases of Legionnaires’ disease on the Upper East Side. Nine people remained hospitalized.
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