NYC Health Department reports 23 Legionnaires' cases on Upper East Side, expands affected zone

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said a cluster of Legionnaires' disease has been identified on the Upper East Side, with 23 confirmed cases and 17 patients hospitalized. The outbreak initially involved ZIP codes 10028, 10128 and 10075, but officials have now added the area between 76th and 97th Streets east of Central Park to the impacted zone.

Health officials held a virtual town-hall meeting to address community concerns. While the exact source of the bacteria remains unknown, the department is focusing investigations on more than 160 cooling towers in the region and has begun remediation efforts. > "Over 160 cooling towers across this specific region that we’re looking at, and we are not waiting. The work has already begun in terms of remediating," said Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin.

Legionella bacteria typically proliferate in inadequately maintained cooling towers and become airborne through water vapor; the disease does not spread from person to person. The department advises residents to avoid steam indoors and to seek medical attention promptly if they develop flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever or difficulty breathing.

New York City Council recently amended regulations requiring buildings with cooling towers to test, clean and report results to the health department every 90 days, a rule that took effect in May. Council Speaker Julie Menin questioned whether enforcement would target non-compliant properties. > "Is the Health Department focusing on those buildings that were not compliant? Because obviously we’re deeply concerned that the source of this outbreak has not yet been identified," she said.

All buildings with cooling towers have been instructed to conduct immediate cleaning and testing. Because Legionnaires' disease can take several days to manifest, additional cases may still be identified.