5 Dead, 109 Sickened in New York City Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

The outbreak, which started in late July, has been linked to cooling towers on 10 Harlem buildings, officials say.

Legionella pneumophila bacteria in a 1978 electron microscope image. Francis Chandler/CDC via AP

Officials said five people have died and at least 109 were sickened in an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City in recent weeks, according to new updates.

Nine people were hospitalized as of Wednesday with the disease, which is a serious form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria found in water systems, according to the city’s health department. Meanwhile, 109 people have been sickened with the bacterial infection, it said Wednesday.