NY State EP Alert 7.28.2025|Legionnaires’ Disease in Harlem
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is investigating a small cluster of Legionnaires’ Disease in a Central Harlem neighborhood. Those in ZIP codes 10027, 10030, 10035 and 10037, along with bordering communities are advised to take note. There have been five cases in this cluster in just a few days, and test results are pending on other suspected cases. No deaths are reported.
HCP urges members to alert their patients and staff in that area to seek immediate medical attention if they exhibit fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, or shortness of breath. This type of pneumonia can be mistaken for the flu but is NOT contagious and is treatable when caught early. The disease is only transmitted by breathing in water vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It is treated with antibiotics.
Many home care patients are likely to be more susceptible to infection. Those aged 50 and older and those with chronic lung diseases need to be mindful of their increased risk and report symptoms promptly. People with compromised immune systems are also at higher risk.
DOHMH is actively testing water from all cooling tower systems in that area. In addition to cooling towers and the evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems, other favorable areas for Legionella growth include spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, and hot water tanks.