The recent uptick in Legionnaires' disease cases in Central Harlem has reached a grim milestone with a fifth death now linked to the outbreak. City health department officials updated the number of those affected to 108, up from the previously reported 101. Despite the increasing case count, the city says all 12 water cooling towers that had tested positive for the legionella bacterium have been remediated, Gothamist reports.
According to statements from city officials last week, the outbreak appears to be on the decline, though new illnesses are anticipated as more people become aware, and seek medical attention. William Fowler, a spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams, clarified that the fifth death was not a new case but was conclusively connected to the outbreak. Harlem Hospital is among the locations whose cooling towers, responsible for the disease's spread, were found to be behind on maintenance or unchecked in the past year, the city disclosed this information on Thursday.
As reported by the New York Post, this recent cluster of Legionnaires' disease was first detected on July 25 and has now affected residents across five zip codes in Upper Manhattan. The disease, which manifests with pneumonia-like symptoms, has led to 14 hospitalizations alongside the deaths. Despite the severity, officials emphasize that Legionnaires' disease, when caught early, can be treated effectively with antibiotics.
Analysis of city data shows that the inspections of cooling towers, mandated by law to occur every quarter, have decreased significantly, from nearly 5,100 during the first half of 2017 to only around 1,200 in the same period this year. Jory Lange, a lawyer representing 37 individuals who contracted the disease during this outbreak, told Gothamist that the death toll was "shocking" and criticized the building owners for not taking the necessary preventative actions.
Residents of Harlem have expressed dissatisfaction with the city's delay in revealing the exact locations hit by the disease, despite the escalation in reported infections. Dr. Michelle Morse, the acting Health Commissioner, stated they withheld building addresses to maintain vigilance across all New York communities. The city has encouraged those with flu-like symptoms in affected areas to seek medical attention promptly, as early intervention can prevent the severe consequences of the disease.
