Individuals in New York afflicted by Legionnaires' disease have legitimate legal entitlements. Here's some essential information on the matter.
Breaking News: Central Harlem Faces Ongoing Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak
A cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases has been reported in Central Harlem, with at least 108 confirmed cases and 5 tragic deaths as of August 19, 2025. The New York City Department of Health is currently investigating the outbreak, which has affected the zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039.
The illness, which is a flu-like condition caused by a bacteria that thrives in standing water, has been linked to cooling towers installed on top of large buildings as part of their air conditioning systems. In response, 11 cooling towers in Central Harlem have tested positive for the bacteria and have since been remediated.
Health department inspectors have the power to order property owners to have their cooling towers disinfected if they are found to be unclean. Failure to comply can result in misdemeanor criminal charges, leading to a fine of up to $25,000 and a jail sentence of up to a year. Landlords who break the law can also be fined between $2,000 and $10,000 for most violations, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Building owners are expected to have their cooling towers sanitized every three months when they're in use and to have a maintenance plan to ensure their cooling towers remain in good condition. A local law mandates annual certifications for owners and operators of cooling towers to ensure inspections, tests, and cleanings are completed.
In an effort to keep New Yorkers informed, the health department has created an online registry of buildings with cooling towers, allowing residents to search for inspection histories. However, the addresses of the buildings where legionella was detected have not been made public.
As the investigation continues, attorney Jory Lange, who has won millions of dollars for people infected with Legionnaires' disease in the past, is investigating which cooling towers may have caused the latest outbreak. Two New Yorkers who fell ill have already hired Lange to represent them.
Residents in the affected areas have been urged to seek medical help if they experience flu-like symptoms. Yates, a resident in one of the affected ZIP codes, has advised anyone who feels sick to seek immediate medical attention. The health department has also warned Harlemites to be vigilant and to look out for flu-like symptoms.
The 2015 outbreak in the South Bronx led to the passing of the aforementioned local law, which aims to prevent such outbreaks in the future. It is hoped that through increased awareness, regular inspections, and strict adherence to cleaning and maintenance protocols, the spread of Legionnaires' disease can be controlled and prevented.
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