Over the past few weeks, Central Harlem has been gripped by a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. Listed cases have climbed to 108 confirmed infections, with five tragic deaths now linked to the cluster. Health officials traced the culprit—Legionella bacteria—to 12 cooling towers atop 10 different buildings, including a hospital and a sexual health clinic. All of these towers have been cleaned or fully remediated. The outbreak kicked off in late July, first gaining attention toward the end of that month. By August 14, there were 92 confirmed cases and three deaths, with eleven towers already treated and the twelfth scheduled for remediation by the next day. Fast forward to August 18–19, and the numbers soared to 108 cases, 14 hospitalizations, and a fifth death being linked to the outbreak after careful investigation.
Know the signs: Early symptoms to watch for
Legionnaires’ disease is a treatable form of pneumonia. It typically shows up 2 to 10 days after exposure, sometimes even up to 14 days. Symptoms often feel flu-like:Cough (dry or productive)Fever and chillsHeadachesMuscle achesShortness of breathNausea, vomiting, diarrhea or other tummy troubles in some casesIt’s not spread person-to-person. The danger: if you ignore it, it can escalate—especially for older folks or those with weakened immune systems. But caught early, antibiotics do the trick.
How to stay safe?
Legionnaires’ disease isn’t passed from person to person like the flu or COVID. You don’t catch it from your neighbor coughing. The risk comes from breathing in tiny water droplets (mist, vapor, steam) that contain the bacteria. So if you’re in an area with an outbreak, a little extra caution goes a long way.First, pay attention to local health alerts—especially if you live near Harlem or any of the affected ZIP codes. Officials usually test and clean cooling towers pretty quickly, but knowing what’s going on around you helps. If you see big misting air systems or fountains that look sketchy, maybe give them some space.Second, listen to your body. If you suddenly feel like you’ve been hit with a bad flu—fever, cough, shortness of breath—don’t brush it off. Call your doctor. Antibiotics work well if you catch it early.Lastly, if you have a weaker immune system, are older, or already deal with lung issues, be extra cautious. Wash your hands often, stay hydrated, and don’t hesitate to seek care fast.Bottom line: stay alert, stay informed, and get help early if symptoms show up.