Central Harlem's Legionnaires' disease outbreak claims seventh life in New York City
In a recent update provided by the city's health department, it has been confirmed that the ongoing Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Central Harlem, New York, has resulted in 114 confirmed cases as of Thursday. Unfortunately, the current death total stands at seven, making it the highest since a 2015 outbreak in the Bronx that claimed 16 lives.
Nine out of the ten building addresses with cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella were found to be behind on their testing by their owners. The 10 buildings linked to the outbreak include NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, but the specific owners of these buildings have not been disclosed in the available information. The city health authorities confirmed that 12 cooling towers tested positive for Legionella, with 11 already repaired and the last scheduled for sanitation by Friday.
A separate cluster of Legionnaires' disease has appeared in a Bronx apartment complex. However, this cluster is not linked to the Central Harlem outbreak, and city health officials believe it is unlikely to turn into a similar public health event. This cluster includes four people in two buildings, and six people are currently hospitalized due to the outbreak.
The remediation of the infected water-cooling towers was completed on Aug. 15. Despite the ongoing efforts, the outbreak has shown signs of waning, although it remains active in Central Harlem. The last reported death tied to the outbreak was a week ago.
City inspections for these buildings had not occurred in the past year, according to officials. Details on the last inspection dates by the city for these buildings are not provided in the sources.
As the city continues to address this public health concern, it is crucial for building owners to prioritize regular testing and maintenance of their cooling towers to prevent future outbreaks. The health department urges anyone experiencing symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and high fever to seek medical attention immediately.
