First death reported in NYC’s legionnaires disease outbreak as number of infected rises

The first person has died from the Legionnaires’ disease cluster on the Upper East Side, health officials announced on Friday as the outbreak shows no signs of slowing.

“I am saddened to report that one person has died in connection with the Legionnaires’ disease community cluster on the Upper East Side,” New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said in a statement.

“My deepest condolences are with their loved ones, and out of respect to their personal privacy, we will not be releasing any additional information on the individual.”

A water cooling tower that was found to have traces of legionella pneumophila bacteria in New York City. Getty Images

The news comes after an Upper East Side cluster has sickened more than 63 people this month.  Getty Images

The number of those stricken in the city continues to rise – with 67 cases reported as of 9 p.m. Thursday night, up from 63.

Currently, 12 people remain hospitalized in relation to the Upper East Side cluster, officials said.

The disease, which stems from Legionella bacteria that has been found in 76 cooling towers across Upper East Side neighborhoods and one on the Upper West Side, is a deadly type of pneumonia that can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.