The Seattle Times · Aug 6, 2015
NYC Legionnaires’ outbreak up to 10 dead, 100 diagnosed
NEW YORK (AP) — The largest outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease in New York City has taken the lives of 10 people and health officials Thursday ordered cooling towers on buildings throughout the city tested for the bacteria that causes the illness.
Since its appearance late last month in the South Bronx, 100 people have been diagnosed with the disease, a form of pneumonia caused by breathing in mist contaminated with the Legionella bacteria.
The disease is easily diagnosed and can be treated with antibiotics but poses a serious risk to anyone with an underlying medical condition. Officials said all 10 people who died had other complicating conditions.