2 dead, 58 sickened in growing NYC Legionnaires' disease cluster

A Legionnaires' disease cluster in New York City has grown, with two deaths and more than 50 others sickened so far, officials said.

The New York City Department of Health said in an update Aug. 4 that 58 people in Central Harlem have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease since July 25. Two people have died so far, NYC Health said.

The agency previously announced on July 30 that 22 illnesses and one death had been reported at the time, and the source was believed to be a cooling tower in the area.

Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella, which grows in warm water, according to the CDC.

NYC Legionnaires' cluster: Multiple people sickened in Central Harlem