New York City health officials warn of Legionnaires’ disease outbreak
Health officials in New York City have issued a warning about a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, with 23 confirmed cases and 17 hospitalizations. Dr. Stephanie Widmer, an emergency medicine attending physician, details how the bacterial pneumonia is contracted, emphasizing it’s from warm water in large cooling towers, not drinking water.
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A cruise line reportedly shut down hot tubs and heated whirlpools aboard one of its ships as a precaution after three confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease involving former passengers.
The cases involved three travelers who sailed aboard Norwegian Prima, a 3,200-passenger vessel, in May and July 2026, the blog Cruise Fever reported.
The source of the exposure has not yet been determined.
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“We can confirm that three guests who sailed aboard one of our ships recently were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease following their travels,” a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line told Fox News Digital this week.
“While it has not been confirmed if the exposure occurred on the ship or elsewhere, we are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate these cases, as well as mitigate any further incidents, and have notified the appropriate guests and crew directly per the CDC’s guidance,” the spokesperson added.
Norwegian Cruise Line reportedly closed hot tubs and heated whirlpools aboard Norwegian Prima after three former passengers reported becoming ill with Legionnaires’ disease. (Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images)
“We have elevated our sanitation procedures as part of our routine measures to ensure a safe environment on board and will continue to take any necessary measures to protect our guests and crew,” the spokesperson continued.
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Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can spread when people inhale small water droplets containing the bacteria.
It can pose a greater risk to those over 50, current or former smokers and people with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems.
Norwegian Cruise Line said all test results from water fixtures aboard the Norwegian Prima have been negative so far as testing continues. (Horacio Villalobos/Corbis via Getty Images)
The cruise line said the ship’s hot tubs and heated whirlpools would remain closed as a precaution while testing continues, according to the Cruise Fever report.
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“As a precaution, all public hot tubs and private balcony heated whirlpools will remain closed and will reopen only after sampling has been completed and any necessary remediation measures have been carried out in accordance with CDC guidelines,” the blog noted.
Online, people shared mixed reactions.
Norwegian Cruise Line reportedly closed public hot tubs and private balcony heated whirlpools aboard one of its vessels as a precaution during ongoing testing. (Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“Stay out of the hot tub, the bacteria thrives in hot tubs! It’s not transferable from person to person,” one person wrote.
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“I have never, nor will I ever, get in a public hot tub,” said another Reddit user. “I’ve been on over 20 cruises and have never gotten in a single pool or hot tub on one. No, thank you!”
Heated water fixtures such as hot tubs and whirlpools can generate small droplets that people may inhale while using them. (iStock)
“I booked this cruise over a year ago. So I’m pretty much going no matter what,” the original poster wrote. “Can’t say I feel great about it, though.”
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“The health and safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. As such, we operate at the very highest public health and sanitation standards,” the Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson added.
