Legionella Archives

August 12, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires’ in Harlem: When Public Health Fails the Same Neighborhoods Again and Again

It’s happening again. Another outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City — this time in central Harlem, where 73 people have fallen ill and three people have died, according to the NYC Department of Health as of August 7, 2025. Officials believe the likely culprit is a cooling tower — those big rooftop structures that help regulate temperature in buildings but can become deadly if they aren’t properly cleaned and maintained. When they’re contaminated with Legionella bacteria, they can spew mist into the air, carrying an invisible, lethal threat into the streets below. But if you’ve followed Legionnaires’ outbreaks…

August 6, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

When the Mist Turns Deadly: A Legionnaires’ Outbreak in Harlem Brings Back Old Warnings

It’s the middle of summer in New York City, and the hum of air conditioners is a familiar soundtrack. But in central Harlem, that sound comes with a warning. As of August 5, at least 58 people have contracted Legionnaires’ disease — and two have died — in an outbreak believed to be tied to a contaminated cooling tower. Again. The city’s health department is testing towers in the area encompassing the zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039, and bordering communities. So far, 11 cooling towers have tested positive for Legionella pneumophila. The city’s health department is urging…

May 5, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Royal Caribbean and Cruise Lines

According to some news reports, Royal Caribbean has issued a health alert to guests after a case of Legionnaires’ disease was potentially linked to its popular vessel, Symphony of the Seas. The guest sailed during March or April 2025. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not confirmed the ship as the source of exposure, the company has adopted precautionary measures, citing an “abundance of caution. This is not the first time Symphony of the Seas has been associated with potential cases. In January 2025, Royal Caribbean sent notices to passengers after two other guests were diagnosed…

June 27, 2023 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionella bacteria has been found in the KetteringFairmount High School Field House

According to news reports, the Legionella bacteria has been found in the KetteringFairmount High School Field House in Montgomery County Ohio. The testing forLegionella at the Field House was done after 36 athletes became ill. These athleteswere tested and the results are not yet available. June 13, 2023 was the lastreported case of Legionnaires’ disease in the county. There has been a total of 12cases reported across the county in 2023..

May 18, 2023 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Illinois LA Fitness Site linked to Two Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease

An LA Fitness site in Niles, Illinois has been linked to two cases of Legionnaires’ disease according to the Illinois Department of Health. Again, according to the Illinois Department of Health, the Legionella bacteria had been found in the hot tub at the LA Fitness location. According to one user of the gym, many of the members are over 50 years of age. These members are more susceptible to acquiring the disease. If you would like more information about Legionnaires Disease click here. If you suspect you may have contracted or have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease, Contact Attorney Jules…

November 8, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionella Bacteria Found at Fort Sam Houston Barracks

Staff at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston (JBSA) in San Antonio, Texas, discovered Legionella bacteria during routine water testing. More than 80 residents and staff at Liberty Barracks are being relocated to other barracks and dorms across the base. There are no reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease so far. The relocated service members are from the Brooke Army Medical Center’s Soldier Recovery Unit. This unit includes the Behavioral Health Clinic. The building will be treated and retested after 72 hours. JBSA’s early discovery of the bacteria, before any reported cases, highlights the importance of routine testing for Legionella bacteria. To read more about…

October 30, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

High Levels of Legionella Found Aboard Washington State Ferries Fleet

Several ferries operated by Washington State Ferries (WSF) have tested positive for high levels of Legionella bacteria. WSF discovered the bacteria after conducting water tests in the galleys and water fountains. Due to shutdowns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, water aboard the ships remained stagnant for over a year. Water stagnation may lead to bacteria growth, including Legionella. WSF’s discovery highlights the importance of businesses being proactive in their efforts to protect the public from Legionnaires’ disease. WSF, as well as other business, can flush out the affected water systems and treat them with disinfectants that will kill the Legionella bacteria and protect passengers…

October 29, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in Washington County, Oregon

Public health officials in Washington County, Oregon, are investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases that has left four people hospitalized. In total, there are six confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the county. Washington County has seen fourteen cases so far this year, and public health officials are speculating that the county may exceed its record number of nineteen cases in 2019. The Washington County Public Health Department, along with the Oregon Health Authority and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are collecting samples and performing testing of potential sources of the outbreak. Public health officials are encouraging residents…

October 8, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Melbourne man dies after being exposed to Legionnaires’ disease from potting soil

A 79-year-old grandfather died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease in September 2021. He was exposed to legionella bacteria while opening a bag of potting soil to help his wife repot tomato plants. He began experiencing symptoms a week later and was admitted to the hospital, where his condition rapidly deteriorated. He was placed into a medically induced coma and passed away shortly thereafter. The ingredients and dampness of potting soil increase the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria. To read more about the link between gardening and Legionnaires’ disease, as well as tips on how to protect yourself, see our previous…

March 22, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Spring Is Here, What You Need to Know About Gardening and Legionnaires’ Disease

Today is one of the first full days of spring, which means the beginning of gardening season for many homeowners and gardening enthusiasts. However, what most gardeners do not know is that they could be exposing themselves to Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella bacteria, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease, lives in most organic material. This means that it can live in bags of potting soil, as well as the soil in the ground. In a previous case our office worked on, a bag of potting soil tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Our client used the contaminated potting soil and became very…