A fifth New Yorker has died in the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem, city health officials said.
The cluster of the pneumonia-like illness, first detected on July 25, has spread across five zip codes in Upper Manhattan and sickened at least 108 people — including 14 who are currently hospitalized, according to a Monday update from the New York City Health Department.
The death toll rose just as city officials announced Friday that 12 cooling towers in Central Harlem that tested positive for live Legionella bacteria have been fully drained, cleaned, and disinfected.
So far, the disease has been detected in zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039, as well as in neighboring communities.
While deadly if not treated in time, Legionnaires’ disease is easily curable with antibiotics if caught early, officials said.
The health department has urged those who live or work in the area and are experiencing flu-like symptoms to see a health care provider right away.
Symptoms of the disease, which cannot be spread from person to person, include cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, and shortness of breath.
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