Mysterious Legionnaires disease outbreak skyrockets to 14 cases across 2 NYC neighborhoods

The number of Legionnaires’ disease cases in an outbreak on the Upper East Side has risen to 14 — as local health officials are still racing to find the source.Fourteen people have been diagnosed with the potentially fatal pneumonia-like illness in the neighborhoods of Carnegie Hall and Yorkville as of Sunday, according to the New York City Health Department.The figure is a sixfold increase from Thursday, when the health department first announced two people had been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease in the Manhattan nabes.New Yorkers who have lived, worked, or visited the neighborhoods — encompassing the ZIP codes 10028, 10128, and 10075 — since late June should contact a healthcare provider if they develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.If it is not treated in a timely manner, Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal.

The virus is not contagious, however, and can be treated with antibiotics, the department said.“Legionnaires’ disease is deadly but can be effectively treated if diagnosed early,” NYC Health Commissioner Dr.Alister Martin said in a statement.“New Yorkers at higher risk, including anyone who is 50 and older, those who smoke, or people with chronic lung conditions, should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin,” Martin added.Health officials said the likely source of the outbreak is a cooling tower in the area contaminated with Legionella bacteria — but they don’t yet know which tower is the source.

Cooling towers, typically located at the tops of buildings, can spray mist containing the pneumonia-causing bacteria.Authorities have launched a probe into the outbreak and will sample and test all cooling towers in the area to assess the possible source.The health department urged residents that the overall risk to the public remains low.

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