NYC Officials: Death Toll In Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Rises To 8 In South Bronx

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York City officials say another person diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease has died, bringing the total number of deaths to eight.

Eleven more cases have also been confirmed in the South Bronx outbreak. The total number of Legionnaires' disease cases now stands at 97, officials said Wednesday.

All of those who died were older adults with underlying medical problems, the Health Department said.

Legionnaires' disease is caused when water tainted with a certain bacteria is inhaled into the lungs.

Of the 22 buildings tested in the outbreak area, cooling towers at five buildings tested positive for Legionella: Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, the Concourse Plaza Mall, the Opera House Hotel, a Verizon office building and the Streamline Plastic Co.

Officials said all of the locations have been disinfected.

Health officials have urged the public to remain calm and stressed that drinking water, fountains, shower heads and pools in the city are safe.

"Inside the building is safe," Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said. "Our understanding is that it's a community event emanating from the rooftops."

"This type of system, when it transfers the heat, the water becomes aerosolized, and that's when it moves away from the building and moves in the air for people to breathe," city buildings inspector Rich Chandler said.

Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, confusion and diarrhea. Symptoms appear two to 10 days after exposure to Legionella bacteria.

The disease is both treatable and preventable, health officials said.

A second town hall meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.