A sixth person has died from a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Manhattan's Upper East Side.
Despite the death, officials still believe that the source has been eliminated as new cases have come to a halt.
Here's what to know.
Legionnaires' disease outbreak in NYC
The outbreak, which had its first positive case last month, occurred in the Upper East Side neighborhoods of Carnegie Hill and Yorkville. The Health Department now says that they are "confident the source of the Legionella bacteria has been eliminated."
As of July 28, 90 people have tested positive so far for Legionnaires' disease, an illness caused by Legionella bacteria. People are at risk of getting Legionnaires' disease if they breathe in water vapor contaminated with the bacteria.
As of Wednesday, out of the 90 cases,
there have been:
- 6 deaths
- 6 still hospitalized
- 65 discharged from the hospital
- 13 not hospitalized
Source: NYC Health
In total, the New York City Health Department had 183 cooling towers from 160 buildings tested. Out of those tested, 59 cooling towers at 58 buildings were positive in a culture test, meaning that Legionella bacteria was present and live. All were cleaned and disinfected, the city says.
The department said that no new cases were diagnosed after July 17.
"We are heartbroken to report that a sixth person has passed away in connection with the Legionnaires' disease cluster on the Upper East Side. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their loved ones, and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time," Health Commissioner Alister Martin wrote on X Tuesday.
"We continue to believe the source of exposure has been eliminated. At this time, no one has reported new symptoms in over two weeks; no one has been diagnosed in over 10 days."
Still, those who have visited or live in the area should keep an eye out for symptoms.
Signs of Legionnaires' disease include:
- headaches and muscle aches
- fever
- coughing and shortness of breath
- chest pain
- nausea
- confusion
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sixth person dies from Legionnaires' disease in Manhattan
