Science History Institute

In July 1976, Philadelphia was in the midst of its bicentennial celebrations when a mysterious pneumonia befell visitors to the city. Within days, several people had died. ⁠
⁠
By the end of the outbreak, more than 220 people were gravely ill, and 34 had lost their lives. Authorities were baffled by this unidentified illness, which was later dubbed the “Philly Killer” by the press. They knew only that it centered around Philadelphia's premier hotel, the Bellevue-Stratford. But whatever happened to Legionnaire's disease?⁠
⁠
Now, with a recent Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City underscoring that this once-mysterious illness is still with us, it’s worth revisiting the event that first thrust it into the global spotlight.⁠
⁠
In the latest Distillations story, Sarah Everts, a previous Science History Institute fellow, award-winning science journalist, and associate professor at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, explores the 1976 Philadelphia outbreak, the race to identify its cause, and why Legionnaires’ disease is more prevalent than ever.⁠

⬇️ Tap the link below to read the full story.

The Philly Killer at 50 Legionnaires’ disease is more prevalent than ever. So how did we forget it?