BRONX, New York — New York City health officials are investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in the South Bronx after preliminary testing detected Legionella bacteria at 10 cooling towers, including one associated with Yankee Stadium.
The discovery comes as at least nine people have been diagnosed with the illness in connection with the cluster. One person has died, while three others have been hospitalized so far.
The New York City Health Department said Sunday that investigators are ordering all 10 cooling towers to undergo draining, cleaning and disinfection as officials continue working to determine whether any of the sites played a role in the outbreak.
The affected locations include 820 Concourse Village West, 234 E. 149th St., 1 E. 161st St., 470 E. 161st St., 1265 Franklin Ave., 567 Melrose Ave., 3339 Park Ave., 1160 Teller Ave., 890 Washington Ave. and 1085 Washington Ave.
The addresses include the Yankee Stadium site as well as the NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln medical facility.
Health Officials Warn Testing Does Not Prove Source
Although preliminary PCR testing detected Legionella at the 10 locations, health officials stressed that the findings do not establish that the cooling towers caused the illnesses.
The Health Department said the testing can identify Legionella bacteria DNA, but it cannot determine whether the bacteria are alive or dead.
That distinction is important because only live Legionella bacteria can cause illness.
Officials also emphasized that the preliminary results do not confirm any cooling tower as the source of exposure. Investigators will need additional testing and evidence before determining whether there is a direct connection between the towers and the current cluster.
The investigation therefore remains focused on identifying the possible source while officials take precautionary steps at the affected locations.
City Investigates Cooling Tower Compliance
The Health Department said eight of the 10 cooling towers had complied with testing requirements that took effect May 8.
However, officials said the towers at 820 Concourse Village West and 1265 Franklin Ave. failed to provide the required information.
The city began its investigation on Sept. 10, after Legionnaires’ disease cases were reported in the Morrisania and Melrose neighborhoods.
Since the investigation began, health officials have tested 24 cooling towers in the area.
The testing is part of the city’s effort to determine whether contaminated water systems or other potential environmental sources could be connected to the illnesses.
Bronx Cluster Follows Deadly Upper East Side Outbreak
The Bronx investigation comes after another deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak affected New York City’s Upper East Side earlier this summer.
That outbreak killed 11 people, adding to concerns about Legionella exposure and the importance of monitoring cooling towers and other water systems.
Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can become infected by breathing in tiny droplets or mist containing the bacteria from contaminated water sources.
The disease can cause serious illness, particularly in people with certain underlying risk factors.
Legionnaires’ Disease Symptoms and Risks
Common symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include fever, chills, muscle aches and cough. The illness can become severe and may require hospitalization.
The CDC estimates that Legionnaires’ disease is fatal in about one in 10 diagnosed cases, although the risk can vary depending on a person’s health and circumstances.
For now, New York City health officials have not identified a specific cooling tower as the source of the Bronx cluster.
The 10 sites will undergo further investigation, while officials continue examining the available testing results and reported cases.
Residents and workers in the affected neighborhoods are now waiting for more information as investigators work to determine where the exposure occurred and whether the cooling towers are connected to the illnesses.
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