NYC launches emergency response after almost 50 infected with disease | World | News
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City sickened nearly 50 people as officials ordered emergency response at dozens of buildings to stop the spread of the deadly bacteria.
Health officials said at least 46 people were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease as part of the Upper East Side-centered outbreak, 22 patients remained hospitalized, 19 were discharged and five recovered without requiring hospital treatment. No deaths were reported.
In an unprecedented move, New York City released a preliminary list of 31 buildings that tested positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria in their cooling towers during initial screening.
Building owners were instructed to immediately clean and disinfect cooling towers as inspectors worked to determine the source of the outbreak.
Officials emphasized that the buildings have not been confirmed as the source of the infections.
Initial PCR tests can detect the presence of Legionella bacteria but cannot determine whether the bacteria are alive. Further culture tests, lasting up to two weeks, will determine whether live bacteria that can cause disease are present.
The city says more buildings may be added to the list as more test results emerge over the weekend.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued an order that officials described as a faster and more transparent response, including publishing the addresses of affected buildings and requesting immediate remediation rather than waiting for confirmatory laboratory results.
Health officials are urging anyone who lives, works or visits affected Upper East Side neighborhoods since late June and develops flu-like symptoms to seek medical attention immediately.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, spread by inhaling small droplets of contaminated water. The disease does not spread from person to person.
Officials reassured residents that it was safe to drink tap water, shower and use air conditioning in the affected areas, adding that being inside any of the buildings identified during the investigation did not increase any risk.
