An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Manhattan’s Upper East Side has been linked to contaminated building cooling systems, city authorities said, with 63 confirmed cases and 13 hospitalizations reported as of midweek.
Where the bacteria were found
Officials said testing has detected the legionella bacterium in the cooling systems of several prominent buildings in the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville neighbourhoods, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim and residential towers on Fifth Avenue. The city is testing all cooling towers in the area and following established protocols when a positive result is identified.
Public health response and guidance
Under the response plan, cooling towers that test positive are drained and disinfected. Health authorities and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommend routine cleaning and disinfection of towers, maintaining appropriate chlorine levels in spa pools and flushing unused taps weekly to limit bacterial growth.
"not contagious between people"
Officials emphasised that Legionnaires’ disease is typically contracted by inhaling contaminated water vapour or droplets and is not spread person to person. They also advised that the outbreak does not reflect a problem with the municipal tap water supply: residents may continue to drink, bathe, shower and cook using tap water.
Illness severity and symptoms
The disease is a severe form of pneumonia that can be life‑threatening, particularly for older adults and people with underlying conditions. Symptoms commonly appear two days to two weeks after exposure and include cough, fever, headache, muscle aches and shortness of breath. While treatable with antibiotics, the CDC estimates the illness is fatal in roughly one in 10 diagnosed cases.
City health authorities continue to monitor the situation, test towers and carry out disinfection where needed. Building owners are being urged to review maintenance plans for cooling systems and other potential sources of aerosolised water.
- Confirmed cases: 63
- Hospitalizations: 13
- Deaths reported: none so far in this outbreak
| Metric | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Confirmed cases | 63 |
| Hospitalizations | 13 |
| Reported deaths in this outbreak | 0 |
| CDC estimated fatality rate | Approximately 1 in 10 diagnosed cases |
As investigations continue, public‑health officials and building managers will be watching cooling‑tower maintenance and compliance with disinfection protocols closely. For the general public, vigilance for respiratory symptoms and prompt medical evaluation remain important, especially for people at higher risk of severe disease.
