A tragic turn in the ongoing New York City Legionnaires' disease outbreak: the first patient has succumbed to the illness, prompting concerns about the effectiveness of the city's response to the crisis. At least 14 people have been hospitalized with the disease, a type of pneumonia caused by inhaling contaminated water vapor. The outbreak has raised questions about the safety of cooling towers in city buildings, which are believed to be the source of the Legionella bacteria. As officials scramble to contain the outbreak, the death of the first patient is likely to intensify scrutiny of the city's handling of the crisis.
First Patient Dies of Legionnaires’ Disease After New York Outbreak The New York Times
