What Is Legionnaires' Disease — and How Do You Protect Your Family?

Pull up a chair. There's a story making the rounds right now that doesn't involve politics, stock markets, or celebrity drama — but it matters deeply to every family, building owner, and community member. It's about water. Specifically, it's about a dangerous lung infection called Legionnaires' disease, and a recent outbreak in New York City that sickened more than 100 people and took at least seven lives.

You don't have to live in New York for this to matter. Legionnaires' disease affects thousands of Americans every year in all 50 states. And the good news? Most of the risk is manageable — if you know what to look for.

Here's What Happened

In August 2025, a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases was identified in the Central Harlem neighborhood of New York City. By the time the investigation closed on August 29, 2025, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported 114 confirmed cases and 7 deaths. The outbreak was traced to 12 cooling towers located on 10 buildings in the area, with city health officials noting that at least one source was linked to Harlem Hospital.

Cooling towers are part of large air-conditioning and industrial water systems. When those towers are not properly maintained, they can harbor a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila — and release it into the air as a fine mist that people nearby can breathe in.

According to the NYC health department, at least 90 percent of people who became seriously ill had at least one known risk factor — including being age 50 or older, being a current or former smoker, having a chronic lung condition, or having a weakened immune system.

Why It Matters

Legionnaires' disease is not rare. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the number of reported Legionellosis cases in the United States has been increasing for decades, with thousands of cases confirmed annually across the country. Health experts believe many more cases go undiagnosed or unreported.

Here's what makes this disease particularly important to understand:

• It is not contagious. It does not spread from person to person.

• It is treatable with antibiotics — but early diagnosis matters. Left untreated, it can be fatal.

• It can come from sources most people encounter regularly: cooling towers, hot water tanks, showerheads, hot tubs, garden hoses, and even humidifiers.

• It thrives in warm, stagnant water — which makes our homes a potential breeding ground if we are not paying attention.

Outbreaks have occurred in hospitals, hotels, apartment buildings, grocery stores, and community centers. This is a community health issue — one that affects all of us.

What This Means for the Village

Let's break this down for different members of our community.

For families with older relatives:

Adults over 50, people who smoke or have smoked, and anyone with lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or a weakened immune system face the greatest risk of severe illness. If someone in your household or in your care fits that description, the simple prevention steps below are especially important.

For homeowners and renters:

Most home water systems are low risk when maintained properly. The danger rises when water sits still for long periods, when temperatures are in the sweet spot for bacterial growth (77°F to 113°F), and when fixtures go without cleaning. Returning from vacation? Running a faucet that hasn't been touched in a week? Those are moments to pay attention.

For small business owners and building managers:

If you operate a business, manage a rental property, or oversee a building with a large water system or cooling tower, you have both a legal and a moral obligation to maintain those systems. Many states and cities — including New York — require cooling tower owners to register their towers, test water regularly, and document maintenance. Check with your local health department or building authority to understand your requirements.

For parents:

Healthy children are generally at lower risk of severe Legionnaires' disease, but that doesn't mean kids can't be exposed. Hot tubs, decorative fountains in public spaces, and humidifiers in the bedroom are all worth monitoring.

What You Can Do Now

Here's what you should know: most of this is straightforward, low-cost maintenance. You don't need a plumber for most of these steps.

1. Flush rarely used faucets and showers. If a faucet, showerhead, or garden hose hasn't been used for a week or more, run it for 2–3 minutes before use. This flushes out any stagnant water that may have warmed to temperatures where Legionella can multiply.

2. Check your water heater temperature. The CDC recommends storing hot water at 140°F and delivering it at no less than 122°F. Many water heaters are factory-set at 120°F — a temperature that slows but may not fully prevent Legionella growth. Consult your water heater manual or a licensed plumber if you are unsure how to adjust it safely. Note: higher water temperatures increase scalding risk, so anti-scald devices are recommended in homes with young children or elderly residents.

3. Clean your showerheads and faucet aerators. Remove visible buildup and clean them with a disinfecting solution at least once a year, or more often if you notice sediment, slime, or reduced water pressure.

4. Flush and maintain your water heater. Drain sediment from your water heater tank at least once a year following the manufacturer's instructions. Sediment accumulation can lower effective water temperature and create conditions where bacteria grow.

5. Use safe water in humidifiers and CPAP machines. Use distilled, sterile, or boiled-and-cooled water — not tap water — in portable humidifiers and CPAP humidifiers. These devices generate mist, which can carry bacteria directly into the lungs.

6. Be cautious with hot tubs. Hot tubs — especially those in hotels, gyms, or other public facilities — are a known source of Legionella. Before getting in, check that the facility maintains proper disinfection levels. If you own a home hot tub, follow the manufacturer's water treatment schedule consistently.

7. Know the symptoms — and act fast. Legionnaires' disease typically appears 2 to 10 days after exposure. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headache. If you or someone in your household develops these symptoms — especially after recent exposure to a large water system — see a doctor immediately. Tell them about the potential exposure. Early antibiotic treatment makes a significant difference in outcomes.

How the Village Can Help

The village is strongest when it's prepared — and that includes looking out for neighbors who may be at higher risk.

• Share this article with elderly neighbors, family members who are immunocompromised, or anyone with chronic lung conditions.

• If you manage a community building, church, school, or small business space, talk to your facilities person about your water system maintenance schedule. Ask when the last inspection was done.

• If you rent and notice consistently low water temperatures, poor water pressure, or foul-smelling water, report it to your landlord in writing and follow up with your local housing authority if needed.

• Check on older family members after travel or extended time away from home. Help them flush water systems before drinking or bathing.

Front Porch Takeaway

Clean water is one of life's most essential protections — and keeping it safe in your home doesn't require expensive equipment, just consistent attention to the systems already around you.

Sources: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (August 2025 Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Investigation); U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Legionella (Legionnaires' Disease and Pontiac Fever); CDC Healthcare Water System Guidance.