CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in New York has resulted in the deaths of at least six people, raising national concern.

The disease, a type of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, has sickened dozens in New York but has not been reported in Massachusetts.

"It's a type of pneumonia and it's caused by this peculiar bacterium called Legionella," explained Esteban A. Delpilar-Morales, an infectious disease specialist at Baystate Health.

Legionnaires' disease spreads through inhaling mist from contaminated water systems, not from person to person.

Symptoms typically appear within two to fourteen days and include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, shortness of breath, and, in some cases, nausea or diarrhea. Individuals at higher risk include older a

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