City health officials confirmed on July 25, 2025 that a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases had emerged in Central Harlem. Initial reports identified 22 individuals infected and one death. As of August 5, the total has rapidly grown to 67 confirmed cases, and a third person has died from the illness . This outbreak is centered in Harlem zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039.

Source Traced to Cooling Towers

Investigators traced the outbreak to 11 rooftop cooling towers contaminated with Legionella pneumophila , the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease. The towers have since been disinfected under city orders, with remediation completed within the mandated 24 hours.

Legionnaires’ Disease: How It Spreads and Symptoms

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumo

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