A second death has been recorded in a new outbreak of a deadly lung disease that has infected 14 people.
New York City is battling another cluster of Legionnaires’ disease – this time in the Bronx – after a summer cluster on the Upper East Side infected 94 people and killed 11.
In the current Bronx cluster, 11 people have been hospitalized, with ten now discharged and one currently in the hospital.
Dr Alister Martin, the city’s health commissioner, confirmed the death in a post on X on Thursday, writing: ‘I am saddened to share that a second person has died in connection with the South Bronx Legionnaires’ cluster.
‘We mourn the loss of each New Yorker, and our hearts are with their loved ones as they navigate this difficult time. We are grateful to our local elected officials who have joined us in outreach efforts as we respond quickly to cut off the exposure and investigate cases.’
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrives in warm and damp locations. It can become airborne in water vapor and then be breathed in by people, potentially triggering an infection.
Common sources for the Legionella bacteria include centralized air conditioning systems, hot tubs, water fountains and large building plumbing systems.
At least 10 cooling towers in the Bronx – including at Yankee Stadium, Lincoln Hospital and Boricua College – tested positive for the bacteria, but Martin said all the towers have since been cleaned and disinfected.
Yankee Stadium is one of 10 NYC locations housing cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease
Regardless of a positive test, however, only live Legionella bacteria can cause illness. Officials said testing at the 10 towers found traces of living or dead bacteria but did not elaborate.
Additionally, officials said it is not clear where the people contracted the bacteria and the city health department said further testing will reveal if any were sickened at recent Yankee games.
However, the Yankees said previously none of the current Legionnaires’ cases in the area have been linked to the stadium.
Health officials are urging anyone who lives or works in, or has visited, the Melrose and Morrisania sections of the Bronx to immediately contact a healthcare provider if they develop flu-like symptoms.
Legionnaires’ disease does not spread from person to person.
Infected patients initially suffer from a headache, muscle aches and fever, before the disease also triggers a cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion or other symptoms.
In severe cases, patients can suffer from severe pneumonia and the potentially fatal complication sepsis, when the bacteria spreads to the blood. The disease kills about ten percent of patients.
Doctors can treat the disease using antibiotics but note these drugs are most effective during the early stages of the disease and before its spread in the body.
Lincoln Hospital (above) is one of 10 NYC locations housing cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease
Those who are over 50 years old, smoke or vape, have a chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system are at higher risk from the bacteria.
Nationwide, infections with Legionnaires’ disease have soared over the last two decades, rising from about 1,100 cases in 2000 to more than 8,000 today.
New York City records between 300 and 600 cases every year, according to data from the city’s health department.
In addition to the Upper East Side outbreak over the summer, in August of last year, seven people died and 114 people were sickened by a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem. Ninety people were hospitalized.
Health officials linked that outbreak to the bacteria in 12 cooling towers across 10 buildings, including a city-run hospital and sexual health clinic.
About 90 percent of those infected had underlying risk factors, including being over 50 years old, being a smoker or having a chronic lung disease.
