New York City health officials said the Legionnaires’ disease cluster centred in Central Harlem has risen to 108 confirmed infections and five deaths. Fourteen patients remain in hospital, according to an update issued late on 18 August. Investigators have linked the outbreak to contaminated cooling towers: Legionella bacteria were detected in 12 towers across 10 buildings, including a municipal hospital and a sexual-health clinic. Disinfection has been completed on 11 of the towers, and authorities said remediation of the final site is imminent. The Health Department stressed that Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person to person but through inhaling aerosolised water droplets. Residents and workers in the affected zip codes who develop flu-like symptoms or pneumonia have been urged to seek medical care promptly. Officials added that case counts appear to be stabilising but that environmental sampling and heightened surveillance will continue.