Archive · 1 Aug 2025
Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak in Harlem: One Dead, Multiple Ill
A group of people in Harlem, NYC, have gotten sick with Legionnaires' disease, and sadly, one person has died.
This sickness comes from a type of bacteria that can grow in warm water, like in the cooling towers on top of buildings.
People get sick when they breathe in the mist from these towers.
The city is now checking all the cooling towers in the area to find the source of the problem.
If a tower is found to have the bacteria, it must be fixed quickly.
People are advised to tell their doctor if they have breathing problems after being in the area since late July.
The good news is that the disease can be treated with medicine if caught early.
A Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Central Harlem has resulted in one death and 22 illnesses.
The outbreak, detected on July 25th, is likely linked to contaminated cooling towers.
NYC Health Department is testing cooling towers in affected neighborhoods.
Legionnaires' disease is contracted by inhaling contaminated mist, not through drinking water or person-to-person contact.
Emergency remediation is mandated within 24 hours for cooling towers testing positive for Legionella.
- Who
- 22 people and 1 deceased.
- What
- An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.
- When
- Detected on July 25th.
- Where
- Central Harlem, NYC.
- Why
- Likely due to Legionella bacteria in cooling towers.
- Affected Area
- Central Harlem (ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, 10039)
- Outbreak Detection
- July 25th
- Illnesses
- 22 confirmed
- Deaths
- 1 confirmed
- Cause
- Legionella bacteria from cooling towers
- Risk Factors
- Adults aged 50+, Smokers, those with chronic lung disease or weakened immunity
- Treatment
- Antibiotics