The New York City Health Department reports the third fatality linked to the Legionnaires' disease cluster in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
The case count has risen to 74 cases, with eight hospitalized.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria (Legionella) that grow in warm water. Sources of water with Legionella contamination may include cooling towers, showers and hot tubs. You cannot get Legionnaires’ disease by drinking the water. People who inhale water vapor (mist) that contains Legionella bacteria can get sick. The risk of getting sick from a building’s water system is very low, especially for healthy people.
Legionnaires’ disease: A personal story
Legionnaires’ disease causes flu-like symptoms, and complications from the disease can be fatal. The most important thing to do is to get medical attention right away if you start having symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches and cough. This is even more important if you are age 50 or older (especially if you smoke cigarettes), have chronic lung disease, have a weakened immune system or take medicines that weaken your immune system. If you have one of these health issues, take extra steps as a precaution to minimize your exposure to mist.
Legionnaires’ disease is easily treated with antibiotics, and most people get better with early treatment. Most people who are exposed to the bacteria do not develop Legionnaires’ disease, and it is not contagious — you cannot get it from someone else.