The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced the first death from Legionnaires' disease, coinciding with dozens of infections in the Upper East Side neighborhood.

Health authorities said they have confirmed 67 cases of the disease, with 12 people hospitalized for treatment, as they continue to monitor the health situation in the area.

Legionnaires' disease

Authorities ordered the disinfection of 76 buildings, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, after detecting Legionella bacteria in water systems.

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Legionnaires' disease is a serious bacterial infection of the lungs, with a fatality rate of about 9% among those infected. It is transmitted by inhaling contaminated water mist or droplets.

Limiting complications

Authorities urged residents to see a doctor immediately if they experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, chills, and muscle aches, to limit complications. The disease gets its name from the first outbreak in 1976 during an American Legion convention in Philadelphia, which resulted in 34 deaths.