The official death toll from the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak on the Upper East Side has reached nine, after two additional people were confirmed to have died from the illness. This is despite the fact that the outbreak was officially declared over around two weeks ago. It is a reminder that the consequences of these outbreaks can linger long after the initial contamination has been contained.

Nine People Confirmed Dead in UES Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

According to the New York City Department of Health, 92 people have been confirmed to have suffered Legionnaires’ disease in the outbreak on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Of these, nine people have now died, with two more people having passed away as of August 15. The actual number may be even higher, if victims failed to get tested for the disease in a timely manner, or failed to realize they had contracted the illness.

Deaths Occurred After Outbreak Officially Declared Over

Part of what makes these deaths noteworthy is that they both died around two weeks after the city officially declared the Legionnaires’ outbreak over. This is due to having tested all cooling towers in the area, and having remediated all towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria. However, it can take up to two weeks for victims to begin showing symptoms of the disease after being exposed, meaning it can take a long time for the full scope of an outbreak to become clear.

The Continuing Risk of Legionnaires’ Disease

While this outbreak is officially over, that does not mean the risk of the disease is entirely gone. For victims of the Upper East Side outbreak, they may find themselves struggling with lingering health problems, even after their illness has been successfully treated.

However, there is also the chance that another Legionnaires’ outbreak may occur at any time. The Legionella bacteria that causes the disease can appear anywhere the right conditions can be found, and the warm, damp weather seen in the New York summer is practically ideal for an outbreak.

What You Should Do if You Experience Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease

Legionnaires’ disease typically manifests as a flu-like illness which can often be mistaken for other types of pneumonia. If you experience these symptoms anywhere there has been an outbreak of Legionnaires’, you should seek medical attention and get tested. You should also speak to a lawyer with experience handling these cases, who can help you get justice for the harm you have suffered.

If you or someone you know has been sickened or injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, contact the New York personal injury lawyers at the Katter Law Firm. We will help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a consultation, contact us at 212-809-4293, or visit our contact page.