Legionellosis Outbreak in New York City

The number of Legionnaires’ disease cases has increased from 19 to 24, and the death toll has risen from 1 to 2, the New York City health department said on June 1st, 2022. Four people are currently hospitalized with the disease, the city health department officials also confirmed on 06/01/22. The outbreak has permeated the Highbridge section of the Bronx since May 3, 2022. The 2 individuals who died from the illness were more than 50 years old and had risk factors for severe disease, according to health officials.  The bacterium that causes the disease, Legionella pneumophila, was found in 4 cooling towers in the Bronx. The towers were completely remediated, according to the health department. People get Legionnaires’ disease – a type of pneumonia – by breathing in water vapor with Legionella bacteria, which grows in warm water, such as cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks...