New York City Officials Say Water Systems Are Safe After Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Reaches 14 Cases

New York City officials announced Sunday that an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease had reached 14 confirmed cases, prompting expanded testing of water-cooling towers across the city. Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on X that the outbreak is "not an issue with any buildings' plumbing or indoor AC units," and said residents in the affected area are safe to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, and use home air conditioners.

NYC Health Commissioner Alister Martin said the case count is likely to rise as more people are tested, according to the Washington Examiner. Officials traced the likely transmission vector to the inhalation of contaminated water aerosols — the disease does not spread through person-to-person contact.

Past New York City outbreaks of Legionnaires' have been linked to mist from cooling towers, and that connection appears to be guiding the current investigation. City-wide cooling tower testing that began during the July Fourth weekend remains ongoing, per the mayor's statement.