First death reported in New York Legionnaires' disease outbreak

A Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City has claimed its first life, health officials said as the number of confirmed cases rose to at least 67.

Authorities did not disclose the identity or age of the victim or provide details about when the person became ill.

The outbreak is centred on Manhattan's Upper East Side, where dozens of people have also been hospitalised. Health officials are continuing efforts to identify the source of the infections.

Investigators are focusing on cooling towers used in air conditioning systems, which can release water droplets carrying Legionella bacteria.

According to city officials, tests have detected live or dead Legionella bacteria in cooling towers at more than 75 buildings in the area, including museums, private schools and residential buildings. However, authorities have not confirmed which site is responsible for the outbreak.

As a precaution, all affected buildings have been ordered to clean, drain and disinfect their cooling towers.

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grow in warm water. People usually become infected by breathing in contaminated water droplets. The disease does not spread from person to person.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the illness is treatable but can be fatal in about 10% of cases. Last year, a similar outbreak in New York's Harlem neighbourhood sickened more than 100 people and claimed seven lives.