New York City health officials are investigating a contaminated cooling tower on Manhattan's Upper East Side after a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases grew to 18.
The New York City Department of Health is focusing on the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville neighborhoods, tracking cases in zip codes 10028, 10128, and 10075.
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Officials clarified that the illness is linked to inhaling vapor from the cooling tower, not the municipal water supply.
"This is not an issue with any building's plumbing system," the department stated.
Residents are assured that tap water, showers, and air conditioners are safe to use.
"Residents in these ZIP codes can continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, and use your air conditioner at home," the department said.
Environmental Testing Underway
New York City Comptroller Mark Levine confirmed that environmental testing is ongoing across the affected zone.
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"All cooling towers in area are being sampled and tested in the NYC Public Health Lab," Levine wrote on X Sunday night.
Levine noted that results will take time. "It unfortunately takes several weeks for cultures to grow," he added.
He urged residents and recent visitors to monitor for flu-like symptoms and contact a healthcare provider if symptoms occur.
Symptoms typically appear two to 10 days after exposure and include headaches, fever, and shortness of breath.
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According to the Mayo Clinic, Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium.
