Two people have died in a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York. Thirty-one cases of the flu-like disease have been reported since mid-July in the South Bronx, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said.

The outbreak in the South Bronx follows several others this year in the area.

In January, preliminary test results indicated the cooling towers at Co-Op City, a high-rise complex in the Bronx, were contaminated with Legionella bacterium. Twelve Bronx residents were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease; eight were Co-Op City residents.

The cooling tower was decontaminated through physical cleaning and chlorine. Water from the cooling towers was used to chill Co-Op City’s heating and electrical systems, according to the city.

More details here.