A Jersey City journalist is recovering after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run that ended in a violent multi-car crash and a string of charges against the driver, authorities said. According to police and witness accounts, the collision occurred in Jersey City when a vehicle struck a pedestrian and left the scene. The victim, a local journalist, was thrown to the ground and suffered injuries that required medical treatment. Instead of stopping, the driver, a resident in Bayonne New Jersey, Laura Castaneda, allegedly fled the area at a high rate of speed. Witnesses told investigators that the vehicle was seen traveling at what they believed to be more than 90 miles per hour along West Side Avenue, heading in the direction of Bayonne. Within seconds, the driver reportedly lost control and crashed into three parked vehicles, totaling all three as well as the vehicle they were driving. Emergency responders arrived on scene to find significant damage to the parked cars and debri...
A growing cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem has now resulted in 83 confirmed infections, 21 hospitalizations, and three fatalities, as reported by city health authorities.
Originating around July 25, the outbreak spans multiple ZIP codes—10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039—and has been linked to 11 water‑cooling towers in the area that initially tested positive for the Legionella bacteria. Remediation measures, including power‑washing and disinfection with chlorine‑based treatments, have already been carried out on all affected towers.
What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling aerosolized water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria, which thrive in warm, stagnant water systems. Common sources include cooling towers, hot tubs, plumbing systems, and fountains.
Symptoms typically begin 2 to 10 days after exposure and include fever, dry or productive cough, muscle aches, headaches, shortness of breath, and in some cases gastrointestinal or neurological symptoms. Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and can be treated effectively with antibiotics like azithromycin or levofloxacin, particularly when detected early.
Why Is This Outbreak So Concerning?
New York City has a history of Legionnaires’ clusters—most notably in the Bronx in 2015—where contaminated cooling towers were the culprit.This year, rising summer temperatures and humidity likely created favorable conditions for Legionella growth in Harlem’s aging infrastructure.
Staying Safe: What You Can Do
If you live or work in the affected ZIP codes—or just want to take precautions citywide—here’s how to protect yourself:
-
Seek medical attention promptly if you experience flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches), especially if you're 50+ years old, smoke, or have chronic lung or immune conditions.
-
Understand where the risks lie: Legionella spreads via contaminated water droplets—not through drinking tap water. Systems like cooling towers, hot tubs, and large plumbing systems are the main sources.
-
For building owners/operators: Maintain your water systems rigorously—monitor temperatures, routinely disinfect, test for Legionella, and follow city registration and reporting requirements for cooling towers.
-
At home, consider cleaning or replacing devices like showerheads, hot tubs, and humidifiers with sterile or filtered water. No vaccine exists for Legionnaires’, so vigilance in maintenance is key.
Bottom Line:
The Harlem Legionnaires’ outbreak serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of maintaining water systems, especially in urban settings. With 83 cases, 3 deaths, and 11 cooling towers remediated as of August 10, 2025, the NYC Health Department continues to monitor the situation closely. Residents, particularly those most vulnerable, should remain alert to symptoms and seek care early to ensure the best outcomes.