New York City health officials reported on Sunday that the Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side has increased to 14 confirmed cases. The cases are associated with ZIP codes 10028, 10128, and 10075, which include areas such as Yorkville and Carnegie Hill. At least one patient has a connection to the 10075 area.
Officials are advising individuals who have spent time along the east side of Central Park between East 76th Street and East 97th Street to monitor for flu-like symptoms, which include fever, cough, chills, and muscle aches. NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin acknowledged the efforts of the Health Department staff in responding to the outbreak.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can be contracted by inhaling contaminated water droplets. The outbreak's source is still under investigation, with officials testing cooling towers in the affected area as a potential source, although no specific source has been identified yet.
The cluster was first reported on Thursday when only two cases were confirmed, and the investigation area has since expanded. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that the outbreak is not linked to building plumbing or indoor air conditioning units, and residents can safely use tap water and their air conditioning systems. Health officials will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available and have urged anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention immediately.