Doctor Issues Warning About Rising Legionnaires’ Disease Cases: “Be Vigilant”

Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, is currently devastating the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan. It’s believed that cooling towers in the neighborhood became infected with the bacteria, releasing it via water droplets from air conditioners, reports USA Today. So far, this Legionnaires’ disease outbreak has infected 67 people, 24 of whom have been hospitalized, and three of whom have died.

While these recent cases are isolated to Harlem, cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been steadily rising throughout the country for the past two decades. And now, a doctor is warning people to “be vigilant” in the face of this growing public health threat.

What is Legionnaires’ disease?

As mentioned, Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumoni