An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem has sickened at least 67 people and caused three deaths since the outbreak was identified on July 25, according to the NYC Health Department . Per the CDC , the disease, a type of pneumonia that presents with flulike symptoms, is caused by bacteria that often spreads through manmade water systems and standing water. Here’s what we know.

What is Legionnaires’ disease?

Legionnaires’ is caused by a bacteria called Legionella . There are several strains of it, some of which cause Pontiac fever (a related but less severe version of Legionnaire’s) or don’t cause symptoms at all. The strain that causes Legionnaires’ disease is especially dangerous because of the way it infects the body by invading human cells, using their nutrients

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