NEW YORK — Health officials have confirmed a second fatality linked to the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak currently affecting the Upper East Side.
The declaration was made by Dr. Alister F. Martin, New York City’s Health Commissioner, on Friday evening.
As of Saturday night, the city reports that 72 individuals have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, with nine of these patients currently hospitalized.
This unfortunate news follows shortly after health authorities disclosed that more than 45 positive Legionella tests have been traced back to cooling towers in the affected area.
Efforts to control the outbreak have led to orders for 76 buildings to clean their cooling towers to mitigate the spread of the disease.
SEE ALSO | What to know about Legionnaires’ disease
Health officials are urging anyone experiencing pneumonia-like symptoms to seek medical attention.
“We are heartbroken to learn that another New Yorker has lost their life to Legionnaires’ disease on the Upper East Side. Our deepest condolences are with their loved ones as they grieve,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. “While we mourn this loss, the data are also encouraging. Our aggressive strategy of testing, enforcement, and remediation appears to have stopped the source of exposure. We directed every building with an initial positive test result to immediately clean and disinfect its cooling tower, and every one has completed that work. We have also reminded cooling tower operators across the city of their summertime requirement to increase use of biocides that kill Legionella bacteria. We will continue inspecting every cooling tower that tested positive and will hold accountable any owner who fails to comply with our public health laws.”
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.