New York City health officials announced Friday that the first person has died in connection with a growing Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side as the number of confirmed infections continued to rise."I am saddened to report that one person has died in connection with the Legionnaires’ disease community cluster on the Upper East Side," New York City Health Commissioner Dr.Alister F.
Martin said in a statement."My deepest condolences are with their loved ones, and out of respect to their personal privacy, we will not be releasing any additional information on the individual."NYC HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN CENTRAL PARK VISITORS AFTER LEGIONNAIRES’ OUTBREAK GROWS ON UPPER EAST SIDEA 3D illustration of Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia.(iStock)The death comes as the outbreak has sickened 67 people as of Thursday night, up from 63 cases reported a day earlier.
Twelve people remain hospitalized, according to city health officials.Investigators are tracing the outbreak to Legionella pneumophila bacteria found in 76 cooling towers across the Upper East Side and one on the Upper West Side.Buildings that tested positive, including the Solomon R.
Guggenheim Museum, have been ordered to clean and disinfect their cooling towers.Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which naturally occurs in water but can multiply in building water systems such as cooling towers.The illness can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.DEADLY LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE OUTBREAK SPARKS CONCERN IN MAJOR US CITY: KNOW THE SYMPTOMSA blood sample tests positive for Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires' disease.
(iStock)Cooling towers, commonly found on rooftops, help regulate large building cooling systems and can release mist containing the bacteria.Health officials have emphasized that the outbreak is not linked to New York City's drinking water or ind...