What You Need to Know Right Now About Legionnaires’ Disease in New York City

Aug 5, 2025 | Featured, Infectious Diseases, Your Health

You have probably heard about an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City.  Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria. The outbreak is mostly affecting people in an area of Harlem. The disease is suspected to have been caused by a building’s cooling system.

Vani George, DO

A key takeaway for New Yorkers is that Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious, cannot be spread by person-to-person contact, and can be treated with antibiotics, according to Vani George, DO, Assistant Professor, Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

In this Q&A, Dr. George discusses Legionnaires’ and how to protect yourself.

Can I catch Legionnaires’ from another person?

No, you cannot. Legionella bacteria thrive in warm water and people get infected and sick by breathing aerosolized water droplets in the air that are contaminated with Legionella.

What are early symptoms I should watch for, and how serious can it get?

Some of the early symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are very similar to flu and can include fever, cough, headaches, shortness of breath, and muscle aches. As opposed to other types of pneumonia, Legionnaires’ disease can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as kidney injury.

How is Legionnaires’ disease treated?

Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Complications from the disease are less common if treatment is started early on. It’s important to contact your health care provider as soon as possible if you have flu-like symptoms.

How did the recent outbreak in New York City happen?

Currently, there is a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in Harlem from the following zip codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039. The suspected source of the bacteria causing pneumonia in this community is a cooling tower in the affected area. Cooling towers are water systems on top of the buildings that control the temperature of cooling systems, such as central air conditioning or refrigeration. There is an ongoing investigation and all the cooling towers in this area are being tested by local health authorities. The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene has reported that the current outbreak is unrelated to any building’s plumbing system. It is safe for you to drink water, bathe, shower, cook, and use your air conditioner.

Is this contamination likely to happen at other locations in the city, and how?

The contamination can happen at other locations in the summer months because the bacteria thrive in warm water between 77-113o F and in stagnant water. New York City’s cooling tower regulations have specific requirements of maintenance to prevent such outbreaks in the community.

Beside cooling towers, how else is the disease spread?

In addition to cooling towers, other sources of legionella have been decorative fountains, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks, and whirlpool spas.

Am I at higher risk because of my age or any health issues I have?

Most healthy people exposed to Legionella generally don’t get sick. Individuals at higher risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease after exposure are:

  • Adults 50 years or older
  • Current or former smokers
  • People with weakened immune systems
  • People with a chronic disease

How can I avoid Legionnaires’ disease?

If you own any of the following devices, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding cleaning, disinfecting, and maintenance:

  • Cooling towers
  • Decorative fountains
  • Hot tubs
  • Centrally installed mister, atomizers, air washers or humidifiers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a useful toolkit in controlling Legionella in common sources of exposure.

For more information, read Cooling Towers: Learning from Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Investigations from NYC Health.

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A Top Mount Sinai Neuroscience PhD Student Writes a Winning Essay as She Proposes Mentorship Initiatives Encouraging a Love for Science and Medicine in Rural America

Jul 31, 2025 | Featured, Research

“The question is, how many potential scientists are lost because they have never seen a path forward?” says Anna Bright, a Neuroscience PhD student. “What if, instead of stumbling upon a passion by chance, students had direct access to mentors who could illuminate the possibilities before them?”

When Anna Bright, a Neuroscience PhD student at Mount Sinai’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, was growing up in rural Tennessee, it was not easy to imagine a career in science. Who would be her role model?

“My story is not unique,” says Ms. Bright. “Countless rural students face similar struggles, navigating their education with limited exposure to careers beyond their immediate surroundings. The question is, how many potential scientists are lost because they have never seen a path forward? What if, instead of stumbling upon a passion by chance, students had direct access to mentors who could illuminate the possibilities before them?”

Today, Ms. Bright is leading an outreach effort to implement mentorship initiatives in rural school systems that connect students with alumni who have pursued advanced degrees in science and medicine.

Ms. Bright passionately wrote about her outreach effort in an essay, “Sending Science Down Yonder,” that she submitted recently for the international 2025 Essay Contest sponsored by the Lasker Foundation. In July, she was named one of the four co-winners. Participants were asked to write about a specific innovation in education or training that would help ensure a sustainable, inclusive, and successful future biomedical research workforce. Click here to read her essay and to watch short videos about her interests and experiences as a young scientist. 

“Beyond the initial excitement of being named a winner, I mostly felt grateful to have my story shared with a wider audience,” Ms. Bright says. “This is tangible evidence that my personal experience struggling to find how someone of my socioeconomic background could fit into the academic world is something worth telling—and ideally, correcting, for the next generation of scientists.

“Today, well over halfway into my PhD, I still have moments where I doubt I belong in this space. This is a reminder that educational resources need to be extended to students who still encounter barriers to higher education—whether that be financial, cultural, or systemic. I would like to thank my lab members and my mentor, Joel Blanchard, for cultivating such a supportive and creative space for conducting science.”

Ms. Bright is a fourth-year student in the lab of Joel Blanchard, PhD, Associate Professor of Neuroscience, and Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, whose research group engineers 3D models of human brain tissue from stem cells and applies them to understanding and therapeutically targeting risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, and other forms of cognitive impairment.

 “We are particularly interested in how glial cells and brain vasculature play a role in neurodegeneration,” she says. “We explore how genetic and environmental factors affect astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and the blood-brain barrier in ways that trigger pathology.”

Her thesis project centers around how APOE4, a gene variant and the largest genetic risk factor for AD, affects oligodendrocyte development and myelination. “The primary role of oligodendrocytes in the brain is to produce myelin, the fatty blanket wrapped around axons to promote health and signaling. Myelin degeneration is one of the earliest pathologies in AD, so understanding why it breaks down in this disease could open the door for novel preventative methods.”

In July, she was the first author on a review paper in Nature Cell Biology that included Dr. Blanchard and two researchers affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University.

“We reviewed literature connecting oligodendrocyte and myelin deficits to AD,” she says. “A wide range of evidence implicates this cell type in AD onset and progression, and we discuss seminal studies establishing oligodendrocyte biology as a key player in AD, proposed underlying mechanisms, emerging techniques in myelin research, and next directions for this field of study.”

Says Dr. Blanchard: “Anna brings a rare combination of creativity, persistence, and a deep sense of purpose to her work. Her research on how APOE4 affects oligodendrocyte development is breaking new ground in our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, while her passion for mentorship and outreach shows her commitment to shaping the future of science. We’re incredibly proud to see her recognized with this award. It reflects both her scientific contributions and the positive impact she is already having on the next generation.”

Learn more about the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Mount Sinai

A New Twice-Yearly PrEP: What Is Yeztugo?

Jul 25, 2025 | Featured, HIV AIDS, LGBT Health

There are many different ways people can protect themselves against HIV. First, there was a daily pill. Then, an injectable that is taken every two months became available. Now, a new option with a longer time between dosing is out: In June, Gilead Sciences announced it had received approval for Yeztugo® (lenacapavir) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Yeztugo is an injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV, taken twice a year in a clinic setting. PrEP medications prevent HIV infections in various ways.

Yeztugo falls into the class of capsid inhibitors, which work by targeting the protein shell that protects the virus’s genetic material and enzymes.

“I’m excited that we’re getting more options,” said Antonio Urbina, MD, Medical Director for the Institute for Advanced Medicine at Mount Sinai. “There are many different people out there with different circumstances, and the more options we have out there to protect people from HIV, the better.”

What is Yeztugo, and who might it be suitable for? In a Q&A, Dr. Urbina explains the drug in detail and how it stacks up against other PrEP options.

Antonio Urbina, MD, Medical Director, Institute for Advanced Medicine at Mount Sinai

How effective is Yeztugo at protecting against HIV?

Two large phase 3 clinical trials were used as evidence for Yeztugo to be approved: PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2. The two trials examined more than 8,000 participants collectively.

What stood out to me was that these studies not only examined the drug in cisgender men who have sex with men, but also transgender men and women, nonbinary people, and adolescent girls. They were very inclusive studies.

The data were extraordinary: in PURPOSE 1, there were zero HIV infections in the Yeztugo group, whereas the daily oral PrEP group had 16 cases. In PURPOSE 2, there were two HIV infections in the Yeztugo group, while the daily oral PrEP group had 16 acquisitions.

Statistical analysis not only showed Yeztugo was significantly superior at preventing HIV compared to the background rate, but also to the daily PrEP group.

How is Yeztugo given?

On the first visit, the patient is given two injections, and two pill versions of the same drug to take in the clinic. Then, the patient is given two of the same pills to take home to take on the second day.

It is very important for patients to take the second-day pills, because doing so will ensure peak plasma concentration that same day. That means patients will have achieved optimal protection against HIV in as quickly as two days, which is impressive. If the patient fails to take the pills, that protection can be delayed by as much as 10 days.

After that, the patient only needs to come in every six months for injections, with a flexibility window of two weeks before and after the date.

What are its side effects?

The most common side effects occurred at the injection site. There were the usual pain, swelling, and itchiness reactions, and most were mild to moderate. However, there is an injection site reaction that occurred in a large proportion of patients—roughly 65 percent—which was described as the formation of a “nodule.”

To understand these nodules, we have to go into how this drug works. Yeztugo is injected into the subcutaneous layer, under the skin but above the muscle. A deposit of the drug sits there and dissipates over time. For many patients, the nodules might not be visible, although if you touch the site, you might feel a slight lump there.

For some patients, the nodules might be slightly visible and appear raised. Thus, patients are offered a choice on injection sites, and Yeztugo can be given in the abdomen area or the thigh. It is important to educate patients on what to expect.

And for some, the nodules never develop at all. It does not mean, however, that the drug is not working. It varies by patient.

What might be the advantage of Yeztugo over other PrEP options?

One of the biggest challenges of daily oral PrEP is adherence. People are forgetful. When enough daily doses are missed, the protection wanes. Having an option every six months ensures there are no gaps.

The fact that you have to go into clinic for this option—while a hassle—is actually helpful for fighting stigma. Some people don’t like having these medications visible in their cabinets, or having to interact with pharmacists about them.

Lastly—this is less talked about—is the potential to bring more accessible HIV prevention into vulnerable communities and populations. It is harder to bring pills to a community and ask them to take them every day, and refill them every month, compared to giving injections just twice a year. Also, Yeztugo is approved for adolescents, which makes this accessible to younger people as well.

How does one access Yeztugo?

It starts with a conversation with your care provider. There are many different PrEP options out there, and if it is determined a patient would like to go with Yeztugo, an HIV test is done to ensure the patient is negative before starting the regimen.

And then, at subsequent visits, all the label for Yeztugo requires is to document that the patient is HIV negative. Gilead Sciences has not set any sort of protocol for maintenance testing.

However, just because this option is taken twice a year doesn’t mean that the patient should only go for screening that number of times. If a person is very sexually active, it’s a good idea to go for screening not just for HIV, but also other sexually transmitted infections, every three months.

Will Yeztugo be covered by insurance?

The news media has reported that Yeztugo has a list price of roughly $28,000 per year, or about $14,000 per shot. That is a large price tag to swallow, but with commercial insurance, out-of-pocket costs are likely to be lower. Depending on an individual’s insurance, that copay might still be too high, though.

With Yeztugo’s approval being recent, insurance companies are waiting for guidance from state and federal regulatory bodies, including Medicaid. The New York State Department of Health’s AIDS Institute has already given an interim recommendation to clinicians for Yeztugo as a “preferred PrEP regimen,” as long the individual doesn’t mind injections every six months. I’m hopeful that insurance will soon cover Yeztugo on their list of covered drugs.

What has Gilead Sciences said about copay assistance for Yeztugo?

In various statements, the company has said that for people with commercial insurance, through its Copay Saving Program, out-of-pocket costs may be reduced to as low as zero. Some uninsured eligible individuals might also be able to access Yeztugo free of charge through its Advancing Access Patient Assistance Program.

What are the current options for PrEP?

  Truvada Descovy Apretude Yeztugo
Generic drug name Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate Emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide Cabotegravir Lenacapivir
Administration Pill, oral Pill, oral Intramuscular injection, gluteal (buttock) Subcutaneous injection, abdomen or thigh
Dosing Daily Daily Every two months Every six months
Class of drug Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor Integrase strand transfer inhibitor Capsid inhibitor
Generic available Yes No No No
Learn more about accessing PrEP at Mount Sinai

Expert Advice on Protecting Your Kids From Ticks

Updated on Jul 24, 2025 | Featured, Your Health

Being outside is wonderful for children’s development and health. However, if your plans include being in grassy or wooded areas, remember to try to protect your family from ticks and the risk of illnesses like Lyme disease.

The best protection is prevention. You can have children help in a way that also allows them to practice their developmental skills and understand the health benefits of avoiding ticks. Blair Hammond, MD, a pediatrician and Co-Founding Director for the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, explains how and offers four things to keep in mind and to discuss with your family.

Blair Hammond, MD

Choice and Independence

Encourage your child to pick out pants and long-sleeve shirts they’d like to wear to decrease the chance that a tick will get on the skin. You can treat outdoor clothing with permethrin, an insecticide, or buy already made tick-repellent clothing. Giving choices is great for fostering independence.

 Apply and Explain

You can apply insect repellent with DEET to your child’s exposed areas. You can make a game of it: “Where are your ankles? Let’s protect them with the insect repellent.”  Follow recommended safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on choosing the right product for your child’s needs. Remember that back and forth conversations and explaining things helps your child learn language and connect with you.

Routines

You can have a consistent routine of bathing after being outside (this removes non-attached ticks).  Also, try to incorporate tick checks into your nightly routines (a tick needs to be on a person for at least 24 to 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease). Pay special attention to hiding places like under the arms, in and around ears, behind legs, in the groin area, and along the scalp and in the hair. Having consistent routines helps with children’s self-regulation and behavior. Keeping pets free from ticks will also help. The AAP suggests checking your pets every day and using appropriate pet products.

No Need for Panic

If you do find a tick on you or your child, don’t panic. You can carefully remove the tick with tweezers by squeezing at the head and gently pulling back. If the tick has likely been on your child for more than 24 hours, or if you have any questions, call your health care provider. You can get additional guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about what you should do about tick bites.

Get more information from the CDC

What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency, and How Do You Treat It?

Updated on Jul 23, 2025 | Featured, Your Health

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) isn’t a medical condition you normally hear much about. But it was in the news recently after President Trump was diagnosed with the condition.

In this Q&A, Prakash Krishnan, MD, FACC, System Director of Endovascular Services, at the Mount Sinai Health System, explains what causes this condition, which causes swelling and pain in the legs and primarily affects older adults. He says it is important for people with CVI to seek treatment to prevent possible complications.

“This condition may cause discomfort. However, with early initiation of conservative therapy with compression stockings, lifestyle modifications, and surveillance with a vascular physician, you can continue to lead an active lifestyle without limitations,” says Dr. Krishnan, who is also Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), and Radiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Director of Endovascular Services and the Endovascular Intervention Fellowship at The Mount Sinai Hospital.

Prakash Krishnan, MD, FACC

What is chronic venous insufficiency, what causes it, and who is primarily affected?

Chronic venous insufficiency  is a vascular condition in which the veins are unable to efficiently circulate blood back to the heart from the legs, causing blood to pool in the lower limbs. This is due to dilated or damaged valves that are in the veins found in the lower limbs. Common causes are aging, prolonged standing or sitting, obesity, pregnancy, or a history of blood clots. CVI primarily affects older adults and people with a family history of vein disorders.

Is CVI a serious health issue? What kind of symptoms or complications can it cause?

If left untreated, serious complications may arise. Patients usually have symptoms such as leg swelling, pain, heaviness, cramping, difficulty walking, varicose veins, and skin changes. Advanced untreated disease may cause painful wounds and skin ulcers that are difficult to heal. In severe cases, CVI increases the risk of infection and blood clots in the limbs, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. Early diagnosis and proper management are important to prevent the disease from progressing and to improve a patient’s quality of life.

Do you need to make lifestyle changes or take specific steps to manage the condition?

The primary goals of treatment for CVI focus on improving blood flow, relieving symptoms, and preventing complications. Initial treatments are less invasive, which includes wearing compression stockings to reduce swelling and support vein function, as well as elevating your legs regularly to help blood return to the heart. Lifestyle changes play a key role and may include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly—especially walking—to boost circulation, and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing. In more advanced cases, minimally invasive procedures to treat the veins such as sclerotherapy, laser therapy, or ablations may be necessary. Consistent care and lifestyle adjustments can greatly improve symptoms and slow disease progression. For those who lead an active life that includes traveling and outdoor activities such as golf, compression stockings would be recommended as an initial step in treatment.

Does chronic venous insufficiency require ongoing monitoring?

Yes, CVI typically requires ongoing monitoring by physicians trained to manage and treat vascular disease. Consistent medical supervision ensures that the condition remains under control and that more serious complications, such as infections or deep vein thrombosis, are promptly addressed.

Learn more about Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery at Mount Sinai
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Why a Master’s Degree? New Mount Sinai Graduates Share Their Experiences and How They excelled

Jul 18, 2025 | Featured, School

Six master’s graduates from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences discuss what they accomplished and how they are using their degrees to explore new paths in science, health care, and medicine.

After Sharpening His Engineering Skills in Industry, Karan Lingineni Gets a Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR), Building on a Passion for Research-Driven Approaches to Clinical Care

“As someone with a nontraditional background, I was looking for a program that would challenge me academically while embracing my interdisciplinary identity. Mount Sinai stands out not just for its leadership in AI and translational medicine, but for its breadth across health policy, entrepreneurship, and bioethics.”

Read the Q&A 

Driven by a Passion for Immunology, Gvantsa Pantsulaia Deeply Advances Her Understanding of the Field With a Master of Science in Biomedical Science (MSBS) Degree

“Mount Sinai fosters a culture of academic rigor, innovation, and mentorship. It’s a place where translational science thrives and where students are encouraged to think across disciplines.”

Read the Q&A 

Krystine Ferreira Recounts Unforgettable Experiences and Gaining a Vast New Skill Set on the Road to Earning a Master of Science in Epidemiology at Mount Sinai

 “I chose Mount Sinai because of the unique experience of being able to attend school on a medical campus where research and patient care thrive on a day-to-day basis. I knew the campus would have so much to offer and a new opportunity around every corner.”

Read the Q&A 

Unparalleled Research Opportunities, Strong Mentorship—and His Own Curiosity: Harsev Singh Reveals How He Excelled in Mount Sinai’s Master of Science in Biomedical Science Program

 “The way that Mount Sinai integrates research, academics, community, and service is, in my eyes, what makes this program exceptional.”

Read the Q&A 

Shaped by Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Ahana Chowdhury Pursues a Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree, Aiming To Improve How Health Care Is Delivered in Communities

“Mount Sinai offered me an opportunity to explore the field of public health from multiple angles. One of the greatest strengths of the program was its ability to connect me with meaningful, hands-on experiences across departments and populations.”

Read the Q&A 

What Did Alberto M. Prieto Barreiro Gain in Mount Sinai’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) Program? ‘A Broader Understanding of How Different Sectors of Health Care—Policy, Finance, Operations—Interconnect To Impact Patient Outcomes’

“The faculty’s deep industry experience, the program’s integration with a top-tier academic medical center, and the strong emphasis on analytics, leadership, and strategic planning made it the ideal environment for me to grow.”

Read the Q&A 

Read more about the Mount Sinai Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

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