Upper East Side Legionnaires’ outbreak jumps to 56 cases as cooling towers investigated
A digitally colorized scanning electron microscopic image of a grouping of Legionella pneumophila bacteria. (CDC Image)
NEW YORK - A Legionnaires’ disease cluster on the Upper East Side has grown to 56 cases, according to the NYC Health Department’s latest update Sunday morning.
What we know:
The NYC Health Department is investigating a community cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in the Upper East Side neighborhoods of Carnegie Hill and Yorkville.
The affected ZIP codes are 10028, 10128 and 10075.
As of July 11, health officials reported:
- 56 total cases
- 16 people currently hospitalized
- 31 people discharged
- 9 people who were not hospitalized
- 0 deaths
City health officials said the cluster is not tied to any building’s plumbing system.
Residents in the affected ZIP codes can continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook and use home air conditioning, according to the Health Department.
Photomicrograph of a lung tissue biopsy from a patient with Legionnaires disease shows intra-alveolar exudate composed of macrophages and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes, 1978. Image courtesy CDC. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Cooling towers under investigation
The Health Department also released a preliminary list of 31 buildings with cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria in an initial PCR screening.
City officials said all 31 buildings were ordered to immediately clean and disinfect their cooling towers.
However, health officials emphasized that a positive PCR test does not confirm that a building is the source of the cluster. PCR testing can detect the presence of Legionella bacteria, but it cannot determine whether the bacteria are alive or dead.
The Health Department said culture testing is underway and could take up to two weeks.
Virtual town hall scheduled
The NYC Health Department will hold a virtual town hall on the Legionnaires’ disease cluster investigation on Monday, July 13, at 6 p.m.
Residents can join the meeting on Zoom, according to the Health Department.
A dial-in option is also available at 646-828-7666. The webinar ID is 165 922 6004.
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can grow in warm water.
People can become sick when they breathe in water vapor, or mist, that contains the bacteria.
The disease is not contagious and does not spread from person to person.
NYC health officials said people cannot get Legionnaires’ disease from drinking water, cooking or using air conditioning. The bacteria also does not spread through cooled air from air conditioners.
Symptoms to watch for
Symptoms can include fever, chills, muscle aches and cough.
People may also experience headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, confusion or diarrhea.
Health officials said anyone who lives or works in the affected area, or anyone who has visited the area since late June, should contact a health care provider immediately if they develop flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever or difficulty breathing.
Who is at higher risk?
Most people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not develop Legionnaires’ disease.
People are at higher risk if they are 50 or older, smoke or vape, have chronic lung disease, have a weakened immune system or take medication that weakens the immune system.
What's next:
The Health Department said the data remains preliminary and subject to change.
New Yorkers who need help finding a health care provider, regardless of immigration or insurance status, can visit NYC Health + Hospitals or call 311 or 844-NYC-4NYC.
The Source: This article was written using information from the NYC Health Department and previous FOX 5 NY reporting.