One person has died and 67 others have been confirmed ill with Legionnaires' disease in New York's Upper East Side, according to health officials. Twelve people are currently hospitalized. Legionnaires' disease, a severe lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria, has a fatality rate of nine percent and is not spread from person to person.
The New York City Health Department has urged residents experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, or coughing, to seek medical attention. The department has also ordered at least 76 buildings, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to undergo special cleaning after water samples tested positive for the bacteria.
Legionnaires' disease is contracted through contaminated water or by inhaling airborne microdroplets. The disease is named after the first known outbreak in 1976, which occurred at a Philadelphia hotel during an American Legion convention, resulting in 34 deaths.
Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and urge vigilance among residents. The New York City Health Department remains committed to preventing further spread of the disease through rigorous testing and cleaning protocols.
