A Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City, linked to 12 cooling towers on top of 10 buildings including Harlem Hospital and CUNY City College, has resulted in four deaths as of August 15, 2025.

For ongoing updates, residents can consult the NYC Department of Health's website and contact local health authorities.

There has been criticism over the city's delay in releasing specific addresses of positive water towers, with officials citing ongoing investigations and concerns about false security.

Residents are advised that drinking tap water, bathing, cooking, and air conditioning remain safe despite the outbreak.

The outbreak began in late July and has been associated with positive tests for Legionella bacteria on the affected cooling towers.

Symptoms such as cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath typically develop 2 days to 2 weeks after exposure.

City officials assure residents that it is safe to continue normal activities like drinking tap water, bathing, and using air conditioning, as the outbreak is confined to the cooling towers and not the building plumbing systems.

Preventative measures include regular cleaning and disinfection of cooling towers, maintaining proper chlorine levels, and flushing unused taps; individuals should seek medical attention if symptoms develop.

Health officials report that new cases are declining, indicating containment, and advise anyone with symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing to seek medical care immediately.

The outbreak involves several city properties, including a public hospital and a CUNY building, but officials clarify that the plumbing systems are not linked to the source of infection.

State Senator Cordell Cleare plans to propose legislation to strengthen cooling tower regulations in response to the outbreak.

The infected cooling towers have been treated to eliminate Legionella bacteria, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

Since 2017, city inspections have declined, but about 75% of towers in affected ZIP codes report up-to-date Legionella testing, though some buildings have not been inspected in over a year.