Second Death Reported in New York City Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak; Source Believed Contained

New York City health officials confirmed a second death linked to a Legionnaires' disease outbreak that has sickened at least 72 people. The city's health department announced the second fatality on Saturday, following the initial death reported on Manhattan's Upper East Side on Friday. Details regarding the identities, ages, or specific circumstances of the deceased were not immediately available.

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an aggressive strategy of testing, enforcement and remediation aimed at air-conditioning systems atop many large buildings “appears to have stopped the source of exposure”.

Despite the fatalities, officials expressed optimism, citing "encouraging" data that suggests an aggressive remediation strategy has likely halted the outbreak's source. This strategy focused on testing, enforcement, and cleaning of air-conditioning systems in large buildings, which can harbor the Legionella bacteria. "We directed every building with an initial positive test result to immediately clean and disinfect its cooling tower, and every one has completed that work," stated Dr. Alister F. Martin, the New York City health commissioner.

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We directed every building with an initial positive test result to immediately clean and disinfect its cooling tower, and every one has completed that work.

The outbreak, which began around July 2, saw a surge in new cases, averaging more than eight daily through July 8. However, the number of new infections dropped to fewer than one daily between July 10 and July 17. Officials confirmed that tests found Legionella bacteria in cooling towers across more than 75 buildings in the Upper East Side, including museums, private schools, and apartment complexes. "We will continue inspecting every cooling tower that tested positive and will hold accountable any owner who fails to comply with our public health laws," Martin added.

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We have also reminded cooling tower operators across the city of their summertime requirement to increase use of biocides that kill” the Legionalla bacteria that causes legionnaires’ disease.

Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is treatable but has a mortality rate of about 10%, according to the CDC. The bacteria thrive in warm water and can spread through water vapor from sources like cooling towers and hot tubs. The disease is contracted by inhaling contaminated water droplets and does not spread from person to person. This outbreak follows a similar incident in August 2025, where seven people died and over 100 were sickened in New York's Harlem neighborhood.

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We will continue inspecting every cooling tower that tested positive and will hold accountable any owner who fails to comply with our public health laws.