Topline
New York City’s Upper East Side is facing a growing outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease, with health officials reporting 18 cases as of Monday—potentially impacting major tourist areas in the city, as officials warn visitors to Central Park are among those who should now be monitoring for symptoms.
People sunbathe during a heat advisory in Central Park on May 19.
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Key Facts
New York health officials are investigating a suspected outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease covering the zip codes of 10028, 10128, and 10075—which spans roughly from 76th street to 96th street on the East Side of Manhattan—with 18 cases reported and no fatalities.
Legionnaire’s is a type of pneumonia that spreads when people inhale tiny water droplets infected with legionella, a type of bacteria, which the city notes is likely caused by cooling towers on the top of buildings.
Anyone who lives, works or has recently visited the impacted area should monitor for symptoms, city health officials said, including visitors to the East Side of Central Park between 76th Street and 97th Street.
That span of Central Park includes a number of major attractions, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Central Park Reservoir, and the warning comes during the busy summer tourist season in New York and as more tourists have descended on the city for the World Cup.
Legionnaire’s causes flu-like symptoms including a headache, muscle aches, fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea and confusion, and anyone who experiences symptoms should immediately consult a health provider.
The disease can typically be treated through antibiotics, though it can be fatal if left untreated, and people are more at risk if they’re over 50 years old, have lung problems, are a smoker or have a weakened immune system.
What to Watch for
City health officials said they’re now testing cooling towers in the area to find the cause of the outbreak. Cases could grow as more people get tested for the disease.
How Does Legionnaire’s Disease Spread?
Legionnaire’s disease is spread through infected water droplets. It is not contagious, so people who have been infected do not pose a risk to others. According to city health officials, the disease has most likely spread through cooling towers on the tops of buildings, which are used for air conditioning or refrigeration systems. Those towers spray mist that could contain the legionella bacteria, which people then inhale. Outbreaks of Legionnaire’s can also happen through bacteria in hot tubs, swimming pools, fountains or drinking water systems. City health officials told local residents this outbreak is not linked to any building’s plumbing system, and it is safe to use tap water and run air conditioning. They also note most people who are exposed to the bacteria do not develop Legionnaire’s disease, but those who have repeated or high exposure to the bacteria, or are in a group with elevated risk factors, are more likely to contract it.
Further Reading
Legionnaire’s Disease Cluster on the Upper East Side (NYC Health)
Legionnaires’ disease (Mayo Clinic)