Over 100 New Yorkers were sickened and seven people died in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem—and now we know it could have been prevented.

City officials have confirmed that two NYC-owned sites—Harlem Hospital and a city-run construction site—were responsible for the outbreak. Both sites had cooling towers contaminated with Legionella bacteria, a preventable cause of severe pneumonia.

This was not an accident. It was a failure of oversight.

The hospital’s cooling systems were inspected—but still tested positive for Legionella
A cooling tower at the construction site was not even registered with the Health Department

The outbreak spread across 10 buildings in Central Harlem, killing residents and hospitalizing dozens

This happened in a community that already faces disproportionate health risks. And once again, the city responded too late.

We’re calling on Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Health + Hospitals, the NYC Department of Health, and the New York City Council to:

• Release a full public report on the outbreak, including timelines and accountability
• Pass legislation requiring monthly Legionella testing at all cooling towers, especially at city-run sites
• Fund upgrades and inspections in historically underserved neighborhoods, starting with Harlem
• Hold contractors accountable for failing to register or maintain public safety infrastructure.

This wasn’t nature. It was neglect. And no neighborhood—especially not one as historic and resilient as Harlem—should bear the burden of government failure.