Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Third person dead in Central Harlem Legionnaires' outbreak, NYC officials say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 6, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 6, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A third person has died after being sickened by a Legionnaires' disease outbreak gripping Central Harlem, city health officials said.
New York City's health department also updated the numbers of those sickened to 67 people, from 58 earlier this week.
“This is our top priority,” acting city Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said Wednesday morning. “We are very concerned about this.”
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia that spreads when people inhale mist containing Legionella bacteria, which can grow in buildings’ water-cooling tanks. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, muscle aches and shortness of breath.
Those who should be most concerned about the outbreak are people over the age of 50, people who smoke or have lung issues and people with pre-existing health conditions, according to Morse.
“The good news about Legionnaires' disease … is that outcomes are great and antibiotics are life-saving,” she said in an interview on WNYC early Wednesday. “The challenge, of course, is delayed care.”
Morse urged anyone with symptoms to seek medical attention immediately and contact the health department.
Tagged
Health and Science
harlem
manhattan
new york city
public safety
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Woman found in shallow grave in Queens; her ex-boyfriend is in custody, NYPD says
The city medical examiner ruled Seraphina Pereira’s death a homicide on Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 8:29 a.m. ET
ICE used a warehouse in NJ. Locals are ‘frustrated’ by Sherrill’s response.
A councilmember and immigration activists criticized the governor for not doing more after ICE seemingly admitted to violating a court order.
By
Mike Hayes
News
ICE used a warehouse in NJ. Locals are ‘frustrated’ by Sherrill’s response.
A councilmember and immigration activists criticized the governor for not doing more after ICE seemingly admitted to violating a court order.
By
Mike Hayes
NY Gov. Hochul once resisted a data center pause. Now it’s central to her campaign.
By
Jon Campbell
Judge temporarily halts overnight construction at NYC’s Chinatown jail
By
Giulia Heyward
Pressure grows on Mamdani to reform admissions to NYC specialized high schools
By
Elizabeth Kim
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .