Health officials say 11 cooling towers where Legionella bacteria were found have been remediated.
A Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City has killed three people and sickened more than 70 people.
Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse announced the details in a press conference on Aug. 7, 2025, noting health officials have taken action to find and get rid of the Legionella bacteria causing the outbreak.
Morse said workers have detected and remediated 11 cooling towers where the bacteria was detected, but noted five ZIP codes in central Harlem are still under investigation by her department.
The press conference was posted by CBS News.
Everywhere in 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039 is under investigation, according to NYC Health.
"It's a false sense of security if I were to tell you any one or two or three specific buildings to focus on," Morse said. "The entire ZIP codes are under investigation actively."
Morse during the conference said 73 people had been reported infected, and New York's ABC 7 reported later in the day that that number had risen to 81. Morse noted 23 people have been hospitalized because of the outbreak.
Health officials first became aware of a cluster of Legionella cases on July 25, Morse said.
Cooling towers help regulate building and equipment temperatures by allowing heat to escape into the air, usually through water evaporation or simply cooling water down.
That means, despite the cooling towers contamination, indoor plumbing is not impacted by the outbreak and tap water is safe to consume.
"So New Yorkers in Central Harlem, where we're standing right now, can still safely drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, use your air conditioner," Morse said. "Those things are safe."
Legionnaires' disease cannot be spread person-to-person, Morse emphasized.
Symptoms of the disease usually begin around two days after contact with legionella bacteria, according to Mayo Clinic.
The first round of symptoms usually include headaches, muscle aches and a fever. Later symptoms include a productive cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea and confusion.
Older people and smokers should seek immediate treatment if they come in contact with the bacteria.
People with weakened immune systems or chronic lung issues are also consider at higher risk.
Without treatment the disease can also lead to lung failure, septic shock and sudden kidney failure.