One Dies, 67 Infected in Upper East Side Legionnaires Outbreak

City health officials confirmed Friday that one person has died and at least 67 others have been infected in the Legionnaires' disease outbreak. Officials began tracking cases on July 2 after two initial infections were reported. Investigators have not identified the source of the Legionella bacteria, though tests found it in cooling towers at more than 75 Upper East Side buildings, including museums, schools, and residential properties.

All affected buildings were required to clean, drain, and disinfect their cooling towers. The disease is a severe form of pneumonia transmitted by inhaling contaminated water droplets and does not spread from person to person.

People older than 50, smokers or vapers, and those with diabetes or chronic heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease face higher risk. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, confusion, and diarrhea.

Last year, a similar outbreak in New York City's Harlem neighborhood caused seven deaths and more than 100 illnesses. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states the illness is treatable but fatal in about 10 percent of cases.