What to know about Legionnaires' disease, which has sickened dozens in
New York City
[August 06, 2025]
By LAURA UNGAR
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City has killed two
people and sickened 58 since late July.
City health officials link the Central Harlem outbreak to cooling
towers, structures containing water and a fan that are used to cool
buildings. They said 11 of these towers initially tested positive for a
type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, but the problem has
been remedied.
They urged people in the area with flu-like symptoms to contact a health
care provider as soon as possible, especially if they are 50 or older,
smoke or have chronic lung conditions.
Here’s what to know.
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
It’s a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grow in
warm water and spread in building water systems. They can be found in
places such as showerheads, hot tubs and cooling towers.
People often get the disease by inhaling aerosols from contaminated
water. Hospital patients can also contract it through contaminated water
or ice, and babies can be exposed during water births, health officials
said. People don't get it from each other.
Symptoms usually develop two days to two weeks after exposure and
include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches and shortness of breath,
according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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 How does Legionnaires’ disease
hurt you and how can you treat it?
It’s important to be diagnosed quickly and treated with the
appropriate antibiotics, health officials said.
If untreated, the disease usually worsens during
the first week, the World Health Organization said. Complications
can include respiratory failure, shock and kidney or multi-organ
failure.
How can Legionnaires’ disease be prevented?
People responsible for the safety of buildings and water systems can
reduce the threat by taking steps to minimize the growth of the
bacteria, the WHO said. For example, they should regularly clean and
disinfect cooling towers, maintain an adequate level of chlorine in
spa pools and flush unused taps in buildings weekly.
There are also steps people can take to reduce the risk of
Legionnaires' disease at home. New York state 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.
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