A surge in cases of Legionnaires’ disease is gripping New York City, with dozens falling ill as health authorities scramble to pinpoint the origin of the harmful bacteria.

The outbreak, predominantly located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, has affected at least 46 individuals, with 22 still under hospital care, 19 recuperating at home, and five receiving treatment outside of hospitals. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities.

In response, New York City officials have disclosed a list of 31 buildings where initial tests on cooling towers revealed the presence of Legionella bacteria. Owners of these buildings have been instructed to promptly sanitize the cooling towers while awaiting further examination.

It is vital to note that a positive PCR test does not definitively link a building to the outbreak since it cannot confirm the viability of the detected bacteria. Additional culture testing, which may take up to two weeks, will determine if live Legionella bacteria were present.

With the incubation period for symptoms ranging from two to 14 days, health experts caution that more cases may surface. The investigation commenced on July 2 following the identification of two interconnected cases in the Upper East Side, prompting the sampling of over 180 cooling towers, with ongoing evaluations during the weekend.

Authorities have reassured residents that using tap water, showers, and air conditioners in the affected areas poses no additional risks. They emphasize that being inside the buildings listed does not heighten the danger.

Legionnaires’ disease, a severe pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria transmitted through contaminated water droplets, is not contagious among individuals. Those over 50, smokers, individuals with chronic lung conditions, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting the illness.