A fifth person has been killed by the legionnaires’ disease outbreak ripping through Harlem, which has also sickened more than 100 others, health officials announced.
Of the 108 people who have so far been diagnosed, 14 still remain hospitalized, officials said. None of the dead have been identified.
The latest figures, released Monday night, mark an increase from the previous numbers shared by the New York City Department of Health, when there were 4 dead and 99 reported cases. The update comes just days after officials confirmed all 12 cooling towers in Central Harlem that tested positive for live Legionella bacteria have been fully drained and disinfected.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria legionella, which grows in warm water. According to the health department, it “can be caused by plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for legionella growth, such as cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems.”
While it cannot be passed from person to person, it can be contracted by breathing in any contaminated water vapor.
The Harlem cluster was first detected back in July, with officials reporting 22 confirmed cases. It has since spread across five ZIP codes in Upper Manhattan, including 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039.
“The risk to most people in these ZIP codes is low,” the New York City Health Department said in a statement. “If you live or work in the area and have flu-like symptoms, see a health care provider right away.”
Specific symptoms include “fever, chills, muscle aches and cough,” health officials said. “People may also have headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, confusion or diarrhea.”
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