UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — As of Tuesday morning on the Upper East Side, 23 people are sickened by Legionnaires' disease, and 17 of those people have been hospitalized, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The number of patients is likely to continue to spike, as more people get tested and receive treatment, health officials said.
The outbreak of Legionnaires' disease first emerged on July 2, and has been concentrated in ZIP codes 10028, 10128 and 10075.
Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia, is caused by bacteria called Legionella that thrive in humid environments, like cooling towers, which create cold air by cycling warm air through water, creating a humid environment within the system.
The disease spreads by inhaling contaminated mist, but is not contagious from person-to-person, officials said. Drinking tap water, showering, and using the air conditioner are all safe, officials said.
The disease can be treated, but early detection is critical, health officials said.
The people most at risk are those who are over 50 years old, people who smoke or vape, people with lung disease, and people with weakened immune systems.
In addition to the three ZIP codes, anyone who visited the east side of Central Park from East 76th to East 97th Street should also be monitoring their symptoms.
"We advise people to monitor for flu-like symptoms and to contact a healthcare provider immediately if symptoms occur," New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said.
This Upper East Side cluster follows a deadly surge last summer, when Legionnaires' disease sickened more than 100 people in Harlem and killed seven people, after 12 buildings with cooling towers tested positive for Legionella bacteria.
No deaths are associated with the Upper East Side cluster.
All cooling towers in the three ZIP codes are being tested and sampled for the bacteria by the health department, officials said. Any cooling towers that test positive will be fully remediated, officials said.
On Tuesday, the health department will host an in-person town hall at 6 p.m. at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola — Wallace Hall located at 980 Park Ave.
For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.
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