Cluster of Legionnaires' Disease Found In Harlem, 9 Hospitalized

HARLEM, NY — A community cluster of Legionnaires Disease has broken out in Central Harlem as nine people in the area have been diagnosed with the disease over the past 10 days, which has launched an investigation by the New York City Health Department.

City health officials announced Wednesday that the local cases of Legionnaires Disease have been reported in Zip codes 10037 and 10039 since Aug. 9 and that seven of the nine residents are over the age of 50. All nine people have been hospitalized, officials said. As of Wednesday, no deaths have been associated with the community cluster.

The city’s health department is actively investigating the local cases and is sampling and testing water from all cooling tower systems in the areas where the cases were detected. The city is scheduled to hold a virtual community meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by the bacteria Legionella, which grows in warm water. Symptoms resemble other types of pneumonia and can include fever, chills, muscle aches, and cough. People get Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in water vapor that contains bacteria, health officials said.

As always, New Yorkers with flu-like symptoms, cough, fever or difficulty breathing should contact a physician immediately, health officials said in a news release. Due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, people seeking care should be tested for COVID-19 and evaluated for Legionnaires’ disease.

Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and can be treated with antibiotics when caught early.

Individuals at higher risk include those ages 50 and above, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems, city health officials said. People living or working in the area who are experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention with a primary care provider or seek urgent care.

“Anyone with flu-like symptoms should seek care early and – if they live in the affected area – ensure they are evaluated for Legionnaires’ disease,” New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi said in a statement issued Wednesday. “Most people exposed to Legionella don’t get sick but there are people at higher risk, such as those 50 and older, especially those who smoke and have chronic lung conditions.”