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Centers for Disease Control
Is Legionnaires’ disease fatal? What to know as NYC reports outbreak
Amethyst MartinezUSA TODAY NETWORK
July 6, 2026, 10:09 a.m. ET
The New York City Health Department is investigating after 18 cases of Legionnaires’ Disease have been reported in Manhattan’s Upper East Side
Officials urged those with flu-like symptoms in the area to seek medical attention
Here’s what to know on the severity of Legionnaires’ Disease
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that comes from bacteria growth in warm water, the NYC health department said
People are at risk of getting Legionnaires’ disease if they breathe in water vapor contaminated with the bacteria. The health department emphasized that residents cannot get it through drinking water, cooking or from using AC units, and Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious
If multiple people become infected within a neighborhood, a typicallth wrote on its website
Upper East Side Legionnaires’ disease outbreak
The city’s health department says that it is investigating a community cluster in Carnegie Hill and Yorkville, two areas in the Upper East Side
The reported ZIP codes affected include: 10028, 10128, and 10075
“Residents in these ZIP codes can continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, and use your air conditioner at home,” NYC Health said
What are Legionnaires’ disease symptoms?
Symptoms can arise around two to 10 days after bacteria exposure, the Mayo Clinic says
According to the Mayo Clinic, Legionnaires’ disease can present itself in the following symptoms:
- headaches and muscle aches
- fever
- coughing and shortness of breath
- chest pain
- nausea
- confusion
“If you live or work in this area, or have visited since late June, monitor for flu-like symptoms and contact a healthcare provider ASAP if symptoms occur,” Levine wrote on X
Is Legionnaires’ disease fatal?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 out of every 10 cases of those who get sick with Legionnaires’ disease “will die due to complications from their illness.”
In the current cluster of 18 cases, none have been fatal to date
Those who are at increased risk include: people 50 and over, smokers, those with chronic lung disease or people who have weakened immune systems
“It is especially important for people at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease to seek care right away,” the health department said
