Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Legionnaire's disease,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on August 7, 2025
The New York City Health Department warns New Yorkers to seek medical attention if you experience Legionnaires’ disease symptoms.
Why?
There is a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem that has already become deadly.
Here’s what we know about this situation so far, and what to do if you begin experiencing Legionnaires’ disease symptoms.
But first, let’s talk about what’s going on in Central Harlem
The New York City Health Department is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease illnesses in the Central Harlem area and surrounding neighborhoods.
Zip codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039 have been impacted so far.
As of August 7, 2025, there have been 81 confirmed cases. There are likely others that have not been accounted for or that have not yet been connected to this illness cluster.
At least 24 people are currently hospitalized, says NYC Health Department.
Three people have died.
If you have Legionnaires’ disease symptoms, the Health Department says you should get medical care right away.
“The risk to most people is low, but if you live or work around these [Central Harlem] ZIP codes and have flu-like symptoms, see a health care provider right away.”
If you don’t have a health care provider, you should visit NYC Health + Hospitals for help.
Most people with Legionnaires’ disease are never diagnosed with this illness. This is because symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are very similar to other types of pneumonia illnesses. In fact, Legionnaires’ disease is often indistinguishable from regular pneumonia, even on a chest x-ray.
Specialized tests are required for an accurate diagnosis.
If you live, work, or have stayed in the Central Harlem area and begin experiencing Legionnaires’ disease symptoms, let your health care provider know of your recent exposure. Area healthcare providers have been alerted to this cluster of Legionnaires’ disease illnesses. However, explaining your exposure experience may expedite treatment.
Common symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:
These symptoms usually begin around 2 to 14 days after exposure. However, in some cases, illness may take longer to present.
Other symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, and/or confusion.
Legionnaires’ disease symptoms should be taken very seriously. Particularly for those in higher risk groups.
Legionnaires’ is a deadly illness.
Statistically, 1 in 10 individuals with Legionnaires’ disease will die from complication of their illness. When infection takes place in a health care setting like this, this risk elevates to 1 in 4.
Most healthy individuals exposed to Legionella bacteria do not become sick.
However, certain groups of people with specific health factors are more susceptible to illness. These individuals are also more likely to experience more serious symptoms and higher risk of death.
Those at higher risk include:
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling microscopic Legionella bacteria. People get sick when these microbes become suspended in aerosolized water droplets and are inhaled.
Fortunately, Legionnaires’ disease is NOT contagious. Only in extremely rare circumstances has person-to-person transmission been reported.
Nearly all cases of Legionnaires’ disease link back to contaminated water systems.
While this bacterium is naturally occurring in freshwater environments (lakes, streams, etc.), they can also grow in human-made water systems.
Certain human-made water systems are better suited for growing and spreading harmful Legionella bacteria than others. Those that create a mist or hold stagnant water rank higher on the list.
Most cases of Legionnaires’ disease involve hot tubs and cooling towers.
Even more rare, but possible, people may become infected by drinking water contaminated with Legionella bacteria if it accidentally reaches someone’s lungs after it is swallowed. This happens when water “goes down the wrong hole” or in cases of near drowning.
Based on previous reports, this cluster of Legionnaires’ disease illnesses is associated with cooling towers.
According to the New York City Department of Health, 11 cooling towers in the area tested positive for Legionella. Those buildings were ordered to remediate those towers within 24 hours and perform testing until negative samples were obtained.
While the problem has allegedly been resolved, we could still see additional cases as more people with Legionnaires’ disease symptoms report their illness and get medical care.
The Health Department claims that residents should not worry about their building’s plumbing systems. “Residents in these [Central Harlem] zip codes can continue to drink water, bathe, shower, cook, and use your air conditioner.”
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. 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.
Call today to get the help and justice you deserve!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)