New York Legionnaires' Outbreak Grows to 60 Cases

A Legionnaires' disease outbreak on New York City's Upper East Side has sickened 60 people, while the bacteria causing the illness has also been detected for the first time in a luxury residential building on the Upper West Side.

According to the New York City Health Department, 49 patients have been hospitalized since the outbreak was identified, with 15 still receiving treatment. No deaths have been reported, although officials expect additional cases in the coming days.

The outbreak has so far been confined to the Upper East Side, including the area around the Guggenheim Museum, where health authorities are investigating a community cluster in the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville neighborhoods.

In a separate development, Legionella bacteria was detected in the hot water system of The Ardsley residential building on the Upper West Side. Officials said the building has disinfected its water system and stressed that it does not have cooling towers, which are the most common source of Legionnaires' disease outbreaks.

Health officials said 183 cooling towers in the affected area have been tested, with Legionella found at 31 sites. All affected buildings have completed cleaning and disinfection.

Authorities have urged anyone who visited the affected area since late June to seek medical advice if they develop flu-like symptoms.