New York City health officials confirmed Thursday that a seventh person has died in connection with a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Central Harlem that has now sickened more than 100 people.
Officials revealed the latest death was tied to a person who died before mid-August but was only recently confirmed to be part of the outbreak cluster, according to The Associated Press.
In total, 114 people have been diagnosed with the disease, and six individuals remain hospitalized, according to the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The bacteria behind Legionnaires’ disease — Legionella — was detected in 12 cooling towers across 10 buildings, including a city-run hospital and a sexual health clinic, officials said. They confirmed that remediation efforts have now been completed on all of the identified towers.
“People who live or work in the area should contact a health care provider if they develop flu-like symptoms,” city health officials warned.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrive in warm water systems and spread through aerosolized mist from sources such as cooling towers, showers, hot tubs, and plumbing systems.
The outbreak in Central Harlem has been linked specifically to cooling towers, which use water and fans to help regulate indoor building temperatures.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:
Cough
Fever
Headaches
Muscle aches
Shortness of breath
Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure.
