Since July, four people have died from Legionnaires' disease in Harlem.

The city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has reported another death caused by Legionnaires' disease, bringing the death toll in the outbreak that emerged in late July to four.

According to authorities, the first cases of Legionnaires' disease in NYC were reported on July 25 in downtown Harlem. Since then, 99 infections have been confirmed, including 17 requiring hospitalization.

An epidemiological investigation linked the source of the infections to cooling towers used to provide air conditioning for buildings. Initially, positive Legionella tests were obtained in 11 such installations. All have since been cleared of the deadly microorganisms.

According to the city health department, legionellosis occurs in the following ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039 in Central Harlem.

Ed. JŁ