(NewsNation) — As the number of known cases of Legionnaires’ disease continues to climb in New York City, health officials are urging caution.

City health officials have linked an outbreak in the city's Harlem neighborhood to cooling towers, structures containing water and a fan that are used to cool buildings. They said 11 of these towers initially tested positive for a type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease but that the problem has since been remedied.

Health officials urged people in the area with flu-like symptoms to contact a health care provider as soon as possible, especially if they are 50 or older, smoke or have chronic lung conditions.

What is Legionnaires' disease?

Legionnaires' is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grows in warm water and c

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