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NYC health officials are trying to get to the bottom of a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease that has popped up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. NBC New York’s Ida Siegal reports.
On the Upper East Side, some residents on Monday were just learning that a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of bacterial pneumonia, had formed in the Manhattan neighborhood they call home
“Is this the location where the Legionnaires’ is breaking out? Oh my gosh,” said Charlie Miller, as he covered his face with his shirt
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) said 23 people have fallen ill from the bacteria, 17 of whom have been hospitalized as a result. The Health Department had previously said those infected were in these ZIP codes: 10028, 10128 and 10075
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Now the east side of Central Park from 76th Street to 97th Street is in the impacted zone as well. Because of the expanded zone, some believe they or someone they know may have had the illness without ever even considering it a possibility
“We go to Central Park on 79th, we enter the park that way. And I’m like, this is so mysteriously the same symptoms that she had, because it was probably like two to three weeks of coughing,” Matt Sheldon said about his wife, who experienced the symptoms a couple of weeks ago
Health Department officials held a virtual town hall meeting Monday night to address questions and concerns. While the Legionella bacteriad on cooling towers
“Over 160 cooling towers across this specific region that we’re looking at, and we are not waiting. The work has already begun in terms of remediating,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin
Another town hall is scheduled for Tuesday night
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Legionella typically develops in cooling towers that haven’t been cleaned frequently enough. Once the bacteria forms, it drifts into the air through water vapor. It cannot be transmitted person-to-person. Over the summer of 2025, seven people died during a Legionnaires cluster in Harlem
New York City Council changed the law mandating buildings test, clean and report back to the Health Department every 90 days, but the law has only been in effect since May. City Council Speaker Julie Menin said she has questions
“Is the Health Department focusing on those buildings that were not compliant? Because obviously we’re deeply concerned that theaid
The DOHMH recommended people in the impacted area stay away from steam while indoors. In terms of what to look out for, the Health Department said to look out for flu-like symptoms including cough, fever and difficulty breathing — and then to go straight to the doctor to get tested
Drinking water, cooking, showering and using air conditioning are typically safe.
But the best thing to do is look out for flu like symptoms including cough fever and difficulty breathing… then go straight to the doctor to get tested
All buildings with cooling towers are being instructed to clean and test for the legionella bacteria immediately. But because it takes a few days for Legionnaires’ disease to develop in humans, there could be more cases discovered before things settle down
