An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem sickened more than 114 people and resulted in seven deaths. Ninety people were hospitalized and six remain in the hospital. No new cases have been reported since Aug. 9. Genetic analysis traced the bacterial strain to cooling towers at Harlem Hospital and a nearby construction site on West 137th Street. Both sites disinfected and sanitized their towers and are coordinating with the Department of Health on long-term safety measures. Proposed reforms include monthly cooling tower testing, higher fines for noncompliance, additional inspectors and engineers, and expanded proactive sampling capacity.
New York City health officials on Friday declared the end of a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Central Harlem that sickened more than 114 people and left seven dead. Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said no new cases have been reported since Aug. 9 during a virtual press briefing on Aug. 29, while announcing a package of proposed reforms aimed at reducing the risk of future outbreaks, including more frequent testing of cooling towers.
After extensive testing and genetic analysis, health investigators traced the bacterial strain to the cooling towers at Harlem Hospital and a nearby construction site on West 137th Street, where the city's new Public Health Lab is under construction, overseen by Skanska USA under contract with the city's Economic Development Corporation.
Of the 114 people who were infected, 90 were hospitalized, and six remain in the hospital. The seventh death linked to the outbreak was announced by the DOH on Thursday.
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