New York City Probes Legionnaires' Cluster In Harlem After Five Residents Fall Ill
Health officials in New York City have issued a warning urging residents to take precautionary measures after authorities identified at least five cases suspected to be Legionnaires' disease last week, the Department of Health stated in a press release. An investigation is currently underway to examine the cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases in Central Harlem and the surrounding areas.
Since last weekend, at least five cases have been confirmed and sent for further testing. Additional individuals are undergoing tests to determine the full extent of those affected. Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths linked to the disease so far.
To identify the source of the outbreak, health officials are sampling and testing water from all cooling tower systems within several neighbourhoods. According to the official notice, residents in the zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, and 10037 are advised to exercise extra caution.
'Any New Yorkers experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible," said Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Toni Eyssallenne in a statement, as reported by the New York Post.
Mayo Clinic. The disease is treatable with antibiotics if diagnosed early. However, individuals over the age of 50, especially smokers or those with chronic lung conditions, are at higher risk of developing severe illness.
To contain the spread, authorities are testing water sources such as cooling towers, hot tubs, whirlpool spas, humidifiers, and condensers. While Legionnaires' disease is typically not fatal, the Legionella bacterium can also cause Pontiac fever, a milder illness. If left untreated, however, Legionnaires' disease can be life-threatening.
The New York State official website advises residents to seek medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms but test negative for COVID-19. Symptoms usually appear 2 to 10 days after exposure and can include fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, or diarrhoea.
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July 28, 2025, 17:03 IST
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