2 New Legionnaires' Cases In Harlem Prompt City Investigation: Reports

HARLEM, NY — New York City's health inspectors are investigating after a second case of Legionnaires' disease was reported in the same apartment building complex in the past 12 months, the department said on Tuesday evening, according to media reports.

The apartment complex, located at 3333 Broadway between West 135th Street and West 133rd Street, is having its plumbing system tested after two tenants contracted Legionnaires' disease, Gothamist reported.

The two cases are not connected to this summer's outbreak, when more than 100 people in Harlem contracted Legionnaires' disease, and seven people died after 12 buildings had cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria in Harlem.

The tower at 3333 Broadway does not have a cooling tower, so, unlike the outbreak over the summer, the building's plumbing system is being tested for Legionella bacteria instead, according to PIX11.

Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia, is caused by bacteria called Legionella that thrive in warm water environments, like cooling towers and plumbing systems. The disease spreads by inhaling contaminated vapor, but is not contagious from person-to-person, officials said.

City officials said testing the hot water supply at the tower could take two weeks, ABC 7 reported.

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