New York City health officials are investigating a Legionnaires' disease outbreak that has killed five people and sickened 82 others in the Upper East Side. As of July 21, no new cases have been reported in the past six days, suggesting the source of exposure has likely been eliminated, though the investigation remains ongoing. Eight patients remain hospitalized.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, typically spread through contaminated water droplets from sources like cooling towers, hot tubs, or plumbing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states it is not generally spread from person to person.
Dr. Dana Mordue, an associate professor of pathology at New York Medical College, explained that infection occurs when contaminated water droplets are inhaled. "We get infected when it gets aerosolized in the water droplets, usually, and we breathe those droplets in," she told Fox News Digital. "You can also get infected if you have water that's been contaminated, and you aspirate it and swallow it into your lungs."
Health officials have warned Central Park visitors due to the outbreak's proximity, though no direct link to the park has been confirmed. The investigation continues to identify the exact source of the contamination.