The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) now reports five deaths and 108 confirmed cases as of Aug. 18 in the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem. 12 infected cooling towers across five zip codes are currently the suspected source for the disease cluster.
"As the city's doctor, I want all New Yorkers to know this Legionnaires' cluster in Central Harlem is the top priority of the New York City Health Department," said DOHMH acting commissioner Michelle Morse. "We are working with the Mayor's Office, Central Harlem elected officials, our community partners, and health care providers to ensure New Yorkers are fully informed of this evolving cluster. The good news is that new cases have begun to decline, which indicates that the sources of the bacteria have been contained.
"Our expert inspectors will continue to work with building owners to ensure full compliance. New Yorkers who live or work in the identified ZIP codes and have flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible for timely diagnosis and treatment for the best chance at a good outcome."
DOHMH released the building locations with infected cooling towers after previously refusing to. The list includes NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, a key medical facility for treating people who contracted Legionnaires' during the outbreak. Three of the eight cooling towers contained legionella at the Wharton Properties location, the massive retail complex on 125th and Lennox anchored by the Whole Foods grocery store. However, the city is still investigating where the outbreak originated from.
Cooling tower locations confirmed by DOHMH:
-BRP Companies, Lafayette Development LLC, 2239 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. Manhattan, NY 10037
-BVK, 215 W. 125th St. Manhattan, NY 10027
-Commonwealth Local Development, 301 West 124th St, Manhattan, NY 10035
-City College Marshak Science Building, 181 Convent Ave., Manhattan, NY 10031
-Harlem Center Condo, 317 Lenox Ave., Manhattan, NY 10030
-NYC Economic Development Corporation, 40 W. 137th St., Manhattan, NY 10037
-NYC Health Department Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic, 2238 5th Ave, Manhattan, NY 10030
-NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, 506 Lenox Ave., Manhattan, NY 10037
-The New York Hotel Trades Council Harlem Health Center, 133 Morningside Ave., Manhattan, NY 10027
Legionnaires' disease, a form of pneumonia, largely affects the elderly and immunocompromised. There is no vaccine to prevent an infection and there is no evidence masking prevents spread as the sickness stems from inhaling mist typically contaminated from hot water plumbing systems.
Symptoms are flu-like, which include fever, chills and muscle aches. Harlemites suspecting infection should seek medical advice or care as soon as possible, as the earlier Legionnaires' is diagnosed, the better the outcome.