A fifth person has died in a Legionnaires' disease outbreak centred on Central Harlem, the New York City Health Department said late Monday. The cluster, first detected in late July, has grown to 108 laboratory-confirmed infections, of which 14 patients remain in hospital. Inspectors found Legionella bacteria in 12 cooling towers on 10 buildings, including a city-run hospital and a sexual-health clinic. All affected towers have since undergone remediation, and officials stressed that the city’s drinking-water supply is safe because the illness is spread by inhaling contaminated aerosols rather than through person-to-person contact. While the department described the overall risk to the public as low, it urged anyone who lives or works in the affected area to seek medical attention for flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever or shortness of breath. Health Commissioner Michelle Morse said the number of new cases is declining, but the investigation and environmental monitoring will continue until the cluster is closed.