Five people have died in New York City's Harlem borough and 14 are hospitalized after contracting Legionnaires' disease, the health department announced on August 18, pointing to air conditioning systems. A total of 108 cases have been confirmed in the borough, the New York City Department of Health said, adding that air conditioning cooling towers had tested positive for the bacteria.
Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection caused by the Legionella bacterium, with a case fatality rate of 9%. Contamination can occur through water or through the respiratory tract, via micro-droplets suspended in the air. The disease is not contagious from person to person.
Read alsoEverything you need to know about Legionnaires' disease
First known cases in 1976
The New York City Department of Health has reminded building owners of their obligation to ensure proper maintenance of their air conditioning systems to prevent the bacteria from proliferating.
The disease takes its name from the first known cases, which occurred in 1976 in a Philadelphia hotel where the American Legion Veterans Association was holding a conference. Thirty-four people died.
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