A New York City health official says there likely will be more cases of Legionnaires’ disease over the coming days amid an outbreak that has sickened dozens.

Dr. Jay Varma tells The Associated Press Saturday he believes people may have been infected before the city cleaned cooling towers where the disease-causing bacteria had been found.

City officials say four people have died and 65 cases have been reported in the Bronx since July 10.

The legionella bacteria were discovered at five buildings in the South Bronx.

Varma, a deputy health commissioner, says anyone who lives or works near the towers would be at risk of exposure.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused when water tainted with a certain bacteria is inhaled into the lungs. There have been 2,400 cases nationwide this year.

(AP)