5 deaths in Manhattan nursing home possibly linked to Legionnaires
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, Manhattan (WABC) -- Legionnaires' disease could be to blame for the deaths of five residents of a nursing home in Manhattan.
Officials have been investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires at the Amsterdam Nursing Home in Morningside Heights.
Four of the people who died are believe to have contracted the disease or were exposed to legionella bacteria, while the fifth death remains under investigation.
Some of the deaths occured prior to the discovery of Legionnaires' in the building and mitigation efforts began.
The New York State Health Department said that all deaths under investigation were residents with multiple underlying health conditions and it is unclear if any were directly caused by the legionella bacteria.
We are extremely devastated to learn of another passing that may be linked to the legionella bacteria. Amsterdam Nursing Home continues to work closely with the New York State Department of Health to find the source of the bacteria. Every passing is a tragedy and these residents were also part of our family. Our hearts go out to the families and all of their loved ones," Amsterdam Nursing Home Spokesperson Jeff Jacomowitz said in a statement.
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