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Additional reports of New Yorkers with Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem prompts New York City Health Department to update residents.
No specific source has been identified in this Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, but based on press release details, multiple buildings tested positive for the deadly germ.
On July 25, 2025, New York City Health Department announced a community cluster of Legionnaires’ disease infections in Central Harlem. Shortly after, Make Food Safe informed our dear readers that five cases had been confirmed, with several others pending.
With this latest update, a significant number of cases have been added to the community cluster.
So far, twenty-two New Yorkers with Legionnaires’ disease have been added to the outbreak investigation.
One person has died.
New York City Health Department continues to investigate.
No specific building has been identified as the source of this Legionnaires’ disease community cluster. However, certain zip codes in Central Harlem have been mentioned by the New York City Health Department.
Zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039 as well as bordering communities are under notice.
Upon discovery of these New Yorkers with Legionnaires’ disease and the proximity of potential illness sources, The New York City Health Department opened an investigation. The Health Department began collecting samples and testing buildings in the area for Legionella bacteria. The germ responsible for Legionnaires’ disease.
“All operable cooling towers in the investigation area have been sampled, and the Health Department has directed building owner with initial positive screening results to initiate remediation within 24 hours.”
Protocol dictates regular remediation efforts and additional testing until Legionella bacteria are irradicated from the water supply and cooling towers to reduce the risk of spreading Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionella bacteria are the cause of Legionnaires’ disease illnesses.
These microscopic germs typically live in natural water environments. Places like lakes, streams, and rivers.
Not something you typically find in the city. So how do they spread there?
It becomes a problem when a small amount of those bacteria make their way into human-made water systems.
A really big problem.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 20 people exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick. An unfortunate 1 in 10 will die.
Only specialized laboratory tests can accurately diagnose Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionnaires’ disease is often confused with other pneumonia-like illnesses, as many symptoms overlap for both conditions. It is even indistinguishable from typical pneumonia on a chest x-ray.
If you live, work, or have visited the Central Harlem area, there are a few symptoms to look out for.
While severity of symptoms can vary from person to person, symptoms to look out for include:
Other Symptoms may include:
Most people begin feeling sick between two and 14 days after exposure. However, it can take longer for symptoms to appear in some cases.
Not everyone who is exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick. Most normally healthy individuals will not become infected. However, certain groups of people are at higher risk of infection if exposed.
Higher risk groups include:
At this time, there is no known source for the cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem. However, there are a variety of ways in which Legionella bacteria could be spread.
Some of the common sources of Legionella bacteria include:
If you are at high risk for Legionnaires’ disease, consider taking a bath instead of a shower. If possible, remove aeration devices from faucets. Use distilled water in CPAP machines. Do not use a water hose. Avoid hot tubs and walking near decorative fountains or water fixtures.
If you become sick with pneumonia or flu-like symptoms after visiting or staying in the Central Harlem area, you may have Legionnaires’ disease.
The New York City Health Department urges “people who have been in the affected area since late July with flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should seek immediate medical attention.”
Legionnaires’ disease can be deadly. Do not wait!
Request a diagnostic test for Legionnaires’ disease. If your healthcare provider does not suggest one, notify them of the potential exposure risk.
Your local health department will likely be notified following your diagnosis.
While the source of the outbreak appears to be somewhere within the Central Harlem area, the investigation is still ongoing. Investigators may ask you questions about where you worked, stayed, or visited in the two weeks prior to becoming ill.
The earlier that you can make this list, the more complete and accurate it will be. Have it ready in case you are asked for it.
Your information could narrow or expand the scope of this Legionnaires’ disease investigation and help prevent further spread of this deadly infection.
If you have become sick from living, working, or visiting the Central Harlem area, you may have questions. An experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer understands your situation and can assist you through the complicated legal process.
If you wish to pursue a legal claim for financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost work, caring for a loved one, or other burdens associated with Legionnaires’ disease illness, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help.
Legionnaires’ disease is a preventable illness. This type of illness spreads when lapses in required maintenance allow the growth of this harmful microorganism.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation. A member of our compassionate team will go over the details of your case.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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