HARLEM, Manhattan (WABC) -- An investigation is underway after an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Harlem has killed three people and sickened 73 others since late July.

City health officials link the Central Harlem outbreak to cooling towers, structures containing water and a fan that are used to cool buildings.

Health officials say you can get the disease by breathing in water vapor that has Legionella bacteria, which grows in warm water.

Mayor Eric Adams spoke to residents about their concerns late Wednesday afternoon, and passed around leaflets with information about the disease.

"We are having all of the buildings in the area inspect their cooling system to make sure that if there's any trace of Legionnaires' disease, they have to rectify the problem within 24 hours," Adams s

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