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Over the weekend, New York City health officials confirmed three deaths associated with a Legionella outbreak linked to cooling towers in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. 

As of yesterday, there were 74 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Upper East Side neighborhoods of Carnegie Hill and Yorkville. Of the 74, eight people are currently hospitalized, 51 have been discharged, 12 are not hospitalized, and three have died from their infections. 

According to the New York Times, at least two of the patients who died were elderly, which is a risk factor for severe Legionnaires’ disease. 

Cases on the decline 

Despite the news of the deaths, cases associated with the outbreak are declining.

“We have not identified anyone with new symptoms for more than a week, and we are not seeing any concerning trends in emergency department surveillance data,” said Alister F. Martin, MD, the city’s health commissioner.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, which can be inhaled through vapor and mist. Outbreaks tend to peak in the summer, when cooling towers (used in air conditioning) are in frequent use. 

New York officials reminded residents of the Upper East Side that they can continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, and use their air conditioner at home.