Second death reported in Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City

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This 1978 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Legionella pneumophila bacteria which are responsible for causing the pneumonic disease Legionnaires' disease. Credit: Francis Chandler/CDC via AP, File

A second person has died in connection with an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in New York, the New York City Health Department announced Saturday.

The outbreak on Manhattan's 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.

"We are heartbroken to learn that another New Yorker has lost their life to Legionnaires' disease on the Upper East Side. Our deepest condolences are with their loved ones as they grieve," New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said in a statement.

Legionnaires' disease is a form of severe pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria that thrives 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.

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 likely been eliminated.

Legionnaires' 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.

Last year, seven people died and more than 100 were sickened during an outbreak in New York's Harlem neighborhood.

Key medical concepts

Legionnaires' Disease

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Infectious diseasesCommon illnesses & PreventionPulmonary medicine Who's behind this story?

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