Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Hurricane Erin to unleash life-threatening surf along U.S. coast this week. Click for details Chevron right

Columbus, OH

66°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

66°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast® Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Health

NYC Legionnaires’ disease cluster grows to more than 100 cases, including 4 deaths

Health officials suspect the bacteria that causes the disease, Legionella, originated cooling towers — devices that uses water to cool large buildings and then disperse mist into the air.

By Nadia Kounang, CNN

Published Aug 18, 2025 5:15 AM EDT | Updated Aug 18, 2025 5:15 AM EDT

Copied

The New. York City Department of Health says there have been 99 cases of Legionnaires' disease, which is caused by Legionella bacteria. (Photo credit: BSIP/UIG/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

(CNN) — Health officials in New York City say a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem has grown to 101 cases, including four deaths.

Health officials suspect the bacteria that causes the disease, Legionella, originated cooling towers — devices that uses water to cool large buildings and then disperse mist into the air. If the water inside becomes too warm, stagnant, or isn’t properly disinfected, Legionella can grow and sicken people who inhale the mist.

On Thursday, the New York City Department of Health confirmed positive tests of the bacteria in 12 cooling towers serving 10 buildings in the area, including NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem.

The Department of Health says 11 of the 12 cooling towers have already been repaired and the final tower was to be remediated by Friday.

Health officials emphasized that plumbing systems are separate from cooling tower systems in affected buildings.

“This community outbreak is not related to a building’s hot or cold water supply. Residents in these ZIP codes can continue to drink water, bathe, shower, cook, and use their air conditioner,” it said.

The current Legionnaires’ cluster was first announced on July 25. Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said inspectors are working with building owners to ensure compliance with testing and remediation.

“The good news is that new cases have begun to decline, which indicates that the sources of the bacteria have been contained,” Morse said. “New Yorkers who live or work in the identified ZIP codes and have flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible for timely diagnosis and treatment for the best chance at a good outcome.”

Legionnaires’ disease causes flu-like symptoms, including cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. It is treatable with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can lead to shock and multi-organ failure, according to the World Health Organization. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 10% of people who contract the disease die from complications, with older adults and people with weakened immune systems at higher risk.

Read more:

A record low level of Americans drink
Caffeinated coffees are mostly free of toxins, with a few exceptions
A warmer, humid world is increasing spread of Lyme disease

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Recreation

Man rescued after falling 30 feet down waterfall in Maine

Aug. 15, 2025
Weather News

Quick-jumping bugs are emerging again, here's how to stomp them out

Aug. 13, 2025
Health

NYC Legionnaires’ disease cluster grows to more than 100 cases, includ...

Aug. 18, 2025
video

How lightning triggers wildfires

Aug. 5, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Hurricane

Hurricane Erin to grow, will next threaten US coasts

1 hour ago

Hurricane

Hurricane safety: Explaining rapid intensification and how to prepare

1 hour ago

Health

NYC Legionnaires’ disease cluster grows to more than 100 cases, includ...

1 hour ago

Weather Forecasts

Cool sweep to erase heat, high humidity in Northeast

1 hour ago

Severe Weather

Flooding, severe weather to linger in north-central US

1 hour ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Weather News

Heavy rain in Indian Kashmir leaves dozens dead, more than 200 missing

3 days ago

Weather News

Pompeii’s remains reveal a hidden postscript

2 days ago

Astronomy

Goodbye long days: Where sunset is now happening before 8 pm

2 days ago

Weather News

US teen pilot accused of unauthorized Antarctic landing reaches deal

3 days ago

Weather News

New York skyscraper had 1-in-16 chance of collapse. Only one man knew

2 days ago

AccuWeather Health NYC Legionnaires’ disease cluster grows to more than 100 cases, including 4 deaths
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy™ About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy™ About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...