NEW YORK\u00a0\u2014\u00a0A second person has died in connection with an outbreak of Legionnaires\u2019 disease in New York, the New York City Health Department has announced.<\/p>\n
The outbreak on Manhattan\u2019s Upper East Side has infected 72 people, according to health officials. Two people have died. The first death was announced Friday, and the second was announced Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are heartbroken to learn that another New Yorker has lost their life to Legionnaires\u2019 disease on the Upper East Side. Our deepest condolences are with their loved ones as they grieve,\u201d New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Legionnaires\u2019 disease is a form of severe pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila, a type of bacteria that thrive in warm, stagnant water. Health officials have focused on testing cooling towers that are part of air conditioning systems for large buildings. Property owners have been ordered to drain and disinfect towers where there has been a positive test result.<\/p>\n
Health officials did not pinpoint a source for the current outbreak but said there has been a sustained decline in new cases. They said that indicates the source of exposure to Legionella bacteria has probably been eliminated.<\/p>\n
Legionnaires\u2019 disease is treatable but 10% of people will die due to complications from the illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/p>\n
Last year, seven people died and more than 100 were sickened during an outbreak in New York\u2019s Harlem neighborhood.<\/p>\n