A second person has died of Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx amid the latest outbreak to rip through the Big Apple this summer, health officials announced Thursday.
“I am saddened to share that a second person has died in connection with the South Bronx Legionnaires’ cluster,” NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin said on X.
“We mourn the loss of each New Yorker, and our hearts are with their loved ones as they navigate this difficult time.”
At least 14 people have been sickened in the South Bronx cluster — with 11 of those cases requiring hospitalization, according to city health data.
Last week, officials announced that preliminary testing detected Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, a severe type of pneumonia, in 10 cooling towers in the South Bronx.
Infected addresses included the site of Yankee Stadium and NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln medical facility.
Investigators swiftly ordered the impacted cooling towers located in the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods to be drained, cleaned and disinfected.
Martin confirmed Thursday night that “all cooling towers that tested positive through initial screening have been disinfected.”
“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,” the health commissioner said.
“Health Department staff are on the ground every day to get the word out, speaking with more than 1,700 community members, distributing over 4,000 pamphlets, and contacting more than 140 organizations in the last week to help folks recognize the warning signs and risk factors,” he added.
As of Thursday night, one person remains hospitalized and nine have been discharged, city data shows.
But officials continue to urge anyone with flu-like conditions who have visited the 10451 or 10456 ZIP codes to seek medical treatment immediately.
The South Bronx cluster comes off the back of a deadly outbreak on the Upper East Side earlier this summer, which sickened 94 people and killed 11.
Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia, spreads when people inhale mist or small water droplets from water sources contaminated with Legionella bacteria, according to the CDC.
The illness is fatal in about 1 in 10 cases — with symptoms including fever, chills, muscle aches and cough.
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