- HEALTH & FITNESS
Air Force veteran, 88, dies in Upper East Side Legionnaires’ outbreak; family blames building owner
ByCrystal Cranmore
Monday, July 20, 2026 8:40AM
UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) –The family of an 88-year-old Upper East Side man who died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease is blaming the owner of a building linked to the outbreak, alleging the property’s cooling tower was not properly maintained
Speaking through an attorney, the family said the victim was an Air Force veteran who had been married for 50 years. His wife found him suffering from a fever near an open window in their Yorkville apartment on July 2. After spending two weeks in intensive care, he died Friday
“He was intubated and on a respirator, also bedside dialysis,” attorney Ron Ketter said. “Intravenous antibiotics and I think they were even monitoring his brainwaves.”
The man’s death comes as health officials continue investigating the Authorities have been testing cooling towers throughout the area, including one at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that tested positive for Legionella bacteria
So far, 74 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease since the outbreak was first identified. Eight patients remain hospitalized
The outbreak has been concentrated in ZIP codes 10128, 10028 and 10075. The city’s Health Department is urging anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms to seek medical attention. Symptoms can appear up to 14 days after exposure to the bacteria
Officials said no new cases have been linked to the outbreak in more than a week and believe themains ongoing
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can spread through contaminated water systems, including cooling towers. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing serious illness
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Related Topics
- HEALTH & FITNESS
- UPPER EAST SIDE
- LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE
