Central Harlem fatalities linked to Legionnaires' disease outbreak reach six

Stricken individuals with the illness continued to increase.

, and Administrator

2025 September 16 . 11:29 PM

2 min read

Outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem leads to sixth reported fatality

Central Harlem fatalities linked to Legionnaires' disease outbreak reach six

The Central Harlem Legionnaire's disease outbreak, which has claimed the life of a sixth person, continues to be a topic of concern for city health officials. The disease, which spreads through contaminated water droplets and vapor from water-cooling towers, has affected 111 people, an increase from the initial 109 cases reported.

Under a 2017 law, water-cooling towers are supposed to be inspected every three months. However, according to reports from the Independent Budget Office, the unit in charge of these inspections has lost a third of its staff since 2022. Despite a 30 percent boost in funding, the staff shortage has persisted.

The inspections of the water-cooling towers have been either delayed or not conducted for some buildings at the center of the outbreak. Twelve water-cooling towers in Harlem, scattered across 10 properties, tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Some of these towers are connected with Harlem Hospital and other government operations.

Public health lab experts are still working to identify the specific origin of the recent outbreak through DNA sequencing. Dr. Michelle Morse, the Acting city Health Commissioner, confirmed this in a statement. No new information about the source of the outbreak or further prevention measures was provided in this statement.

City health officials have stated that the outbreak is on the wane. Seven people are currently hospitalized, down from nine on Wednesday. Remediation of all 12 towers was completed on August 15.

The recent outbreak in Central Harlem is not the first of its kind. In 2015, a Legionnaire's disease outbreak in the Bronx claimed 16 lives, making this the highest number of deaths since then.

The Legionnaire's disease outbreak in Central Harlem serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections and maintenance of water-cooling towers. The city continues to work diligently to control the outbreak and ensure the safety of its citizens.