The worrying Legionnaires’ outbreak in central Harlem has officially come to an end, providing much-needed relief to residents and visitors in the area. The New York City health department confirmed on Friday that the risk of contracting this potentially deadly disease has diminished.

Since the outbreak began in July, there have been a total of 114 documented cases, tragically resulting in seven fatalities and leaving six individuals hospitalized as of late August. This pneumonia-like illness, caused by inhaling mist contaminated with Legionella bacteria, typically arises from cooling tanks filled with stagnant water.

City officials traced the outbreak back to two buildings that were the main culprits. Alarmingly, a citywide inspection of cooling towers has seen a decrease due to staffing shortages in the health department, raising concerns about public safety.

Fortunately, all affected buildings in central Harlem have undergone thorough cleaning and disinfection to combat the spread of the bacteria. The last reported case of someone displaying symptoms—fever, chills, and cough—was back on August 9, more than three weeks prior to the announcement.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed relief, stating, "People should be able to breathe a sigh of relief now. We must learn from this situation and implement new measures to enhance our detection and response to future outbreaks—public safety is our top priority." He acknowledged the tragedy faced by the community, mourning the lives lost while hoping for the swift recovery of those still receiving treatment.

In light of this crisis, the administration is proposing changes to policies aimed at preventing future Legionnaires’ outbreaks. Proposed measures may include increasing resources for water ecologists to conduct inspections, mandating more regular testing for Legionella in buildings, and raising fines for violations regarding cooling tower regulations.

The health department is committed to conducting a comprehensive review of its existing cooling tower policies to ensure such an incident does not happen again. As Harlem rises from this shadow, the city is determined to safeguard the health of its residents.