A cluster of Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia, caused a person’s death in New York City and made 21 others sick.

Between Friday and Wednesday, medical professionals diagnosed 22 people living in central Harlem and surrounding areas with Legionnaires’ disease, the New York City Health Department said, with one unnamed patient dying.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria that can grow in warm water, including in air conditioning condensers, the cooling towers of buildings, hot water tanks, hot tubs, whirlpool spas and humidifiers. People get infected by breathing in water vapor containing Legionella.

City health officials tested every cooling tower in the area of the cluster. They ordered the owners of buildings that tested positive for the disease to start remediation efforts to get rid of the bacteria within 24 hours of testing and detection.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease develop within two to 14 days of infection and can include headaches, muscle aches, shortness of breath, fever, coughing and in some cases confusion, nausea and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

New York City health officials urge anyone with symptoms in ZIP codes 10027, 10030,10035, 10037 and 10039 to seek medical attention immediately.

The immunocompromised, smokers, people with chronic lung diseases and those ages 50 and older are at heightened risk from Legionnaires’ disease, city health officials said.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.