New York Mayor Bill de Blasio says outbreak of Legionnaires' disease slowing

SOUTH BRONX, N.Y. -- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the spread of Legionnaires' disease is slowing, even though the number of cases overnight grew by five to 86.

The mayor and city health officials gave an update to the public during a news conference from the South Bronx Tuesday morning.

Dr. Mary Bassett, the city's health commissioner, said this is the largest outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the city, as far as she knows.

A seventh death was reported Monday evening in connection with the disease. All victims have had pre-existing medical conditions.

De Blasio made it a point to say that if anyone in the affected area experiences any of the symptoms, they should go to the doctor right away to get checked out.

He said the number of cases is slowing, though, and presented a chart showing the number of cases over time. The outbreak started July 10.

The mayor went on to say that the likely source of the outbreak -- cooling towers -- are not the obvious visible water towers. These are units that can't easily be seen.

Bassett said the disease is spread through mist that comes from the cooling towers, which is then exposed to the community around the towers.

"In the process of cooling a building, the towers emit warm mist that can contain bacteria," said Bassett.

According to Bassett, it's safe inside the buildings. It's believed that this outbreak is due to community exposure from the mist.

"It is not contagious. It cannot be passed from person to person. And there is no risk to our drinking water. There is no risk to our water supply from Legionnaires' disease," de Blasio said.

The bacteria was discovered at five different sites in the South Bronx since officials starting trying to find the source of the outbreak, and de Blasio said all involved in the search for the source believe it's connected to one or more of these five towers.

"We're determined to do everything in our power to minimize possibility of this ever happening again," de Blasio said. "We are going to be very aggressive in dealing with this problem."

For more information about Legionnaires' disease, please visit the Health Department website.