NYC's Upper East Side Invaded by Pesky Bacteria

New York City health officials are investigating a Legionnaires' disease cluster in two Upper East Side neighborhoods. As of July 6, there've been 23 cases, 17 hospitalizations, and no deaths, reports the AP. The likely source of the bacteria causing this illness—whose name comes from an outbreak that hit attendees of an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in 1976—is a cooling tower or towers in the area, officials say. These are water systems usually found on the top of buildings that control the temperature of systems such as refrigeration. The city health department is testing all such towers in the area. The affected areas are Carnegie Hill and Yorkville—ZIP codes 10028, 10128, and 10075.

Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grow in warm water and spread in buildings' water systems. The bacteria can be found in places such as showerheads, hot tubs, and cooling towers. People often get it by breathing in tiny droplets of contaminated water; highly susceptible patients in hospitals can also get it through contaminated water or ice, and babies can be exposed during water births, health officials say. Symptoms usually develop two days to two weeks after exposure and include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, per the CDC.

People are at an increased risk if they're ages 50 or older, smoke or vape, or have a chronic lung disease or weakened immune system. The CDC says 1 in 10 people who get sick will die of complications, which is why it's important to be diagnosed quickly and treated with appropriate antibiotics, per health officials. Complications can include respiratory failure, shock, and kidney or multiorgan failure. People responsible for the building and water systems safety should regularly clean and disinfect cooling towers, maintain chlorine levels in spa pools, and flush unused taps in buildings weekly, per the WHO.

There are also steps people can take to reduce the risk of Legionnaires' disease at home. Health officials suggest draining garden hoses; following manufacturers' instructions for cleaning and replacing water filters; checking chlorine levels in pools and hot tubs regularly; and flushing hot-water heaters twice a year. Officials say because it's not caused by an issue with building plumbing systems, residents can continue drinking tap water, bathing, showering, cooking, and using air conditioners, which don't use water to cool the air. People can't get the bacteria from each other. Officials urge residents or recent visitors to the area with flulike symptoms to contact a healthcare provider ASAP.