Harlem Legionnaires outbreak near 100 cases as towers remediated

A Legionnaires disease outbreak in Central Harlem has escalated to involve close to 100 people, with several deaths and an ongoing remediation effort focused on cooling towers that tested positive for the bacteria that causes the illness. Officials said 12 cooling towers across 10 buildings, including Harlem Hospital and a city university facility, have been identified as culture-positive for Legionella, and 11 of those towers have completed required remediation with one more expected to finish soon. The cluster centers in five Harlem ZIP codes and surrounding areas, and health authorities emphasize that the disease is not spread from person to person and that monitoring remains active as cases continue to be reported.

Legionnaires disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria that grow in warm water systems. People contract the illness by inhaling mist or aerosols that contain the bacteria; transmission between people is not possible. Health officials say symptoms typically emerge two to 14 days after exposure and can include cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and headaches. While most people recover with treatment, the disease can be fatal,...