New York City health authorities have ordered ten cooling towers in the South Bronx to be drained, cleaned and disinfected as investigators work to contain a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease and identify its source.
As of September 15, officials had reported ten cases connected to the outbreak, including one death and three people requiring hospitalization. The investigation is focused on the Morrisania and Melrose areas, particularly ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
The Health Department sampled 24 cooling towers after identifying the cluster. Preliminary polymerase chain reaction tests detected genetic material associated with Legionella bacteria in ten of them, including a tower at Yankee Stadium.
Officials cautioned that these initial results do not establish which tower caused the infections. PCR testing can identify DNA from living or dead bacteria, but only living Legionella can cause illness. Culture testing is underway to determine whether viable bacteria were present and compare the samples with those collected from patients. The results could take up to two weeks.
The New York Yankees and city health officials said no cases had been linked to Yankee Stadium. The affected tower there was included in the mandatory remediation order as a precaution, alongside the other locations that returned positive preliminary results.
Eight of the ten towers were compliant with the city’s testing requirements. The Health Department said two properties had not supplied the required testing information and would be reviewed as part of its enforcement process.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling small droplets of water containing Legionella. Cooling towers, plumbing systems, hot-water tanks and other equipment containing warm water can allow the bacteria to multiply if they are not properly maintained.
The illness generally does not spread from one person to another. Symptoms can include fever, cough, chills, muscle pain, headache and difficulty breathing. Older adults, smokers and people with chronic lung conditions or weakened immune systems face a greater risk of developing severe illness.
Health officials stressed that residents can continue drinking tap water, showering and using air-conditioning systems unless specifically advised otherwise. They also said entering buildings containing the affected towers does not create an additional risk, because exposure usually occurs through contaminated mist released into the outside air.
Anyone who has lived, worked or spent time in the affected South Bronx neighborhoods since late August and develops flu-like or respiratory symptoms has been advised to contact a healthcare provider promptly. Legionnaires’ disease can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics when diagnosed early.
The Health Department is continuing inspections, laboratory testing and community outreach while monitoring for additional cases.
