Ten people in New York’s South Bronx have tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease, including one who died and three still hospitalized, AP reported on September 14, citing city health officials. Investigators are tracing the source as ten cooling towers, including one at Yankee Stadium, face cleaning orders.
The Health Department began investigating on September 10 in Melrose and Morrisania, covering ZIP codes 10451 and 10456. Its September 13 statement counted nine patients as of September 12; AP’s Monday report put the total at ten. The city tested 24 cooling towers and required ten to be drained, cleaned and disinfected by September 14.
City officials say preliminary PCR tests detect bacterial DNA but cannot show whether the organisms are alive or dead. A positive result therefore does not establish a tower as the infection source. Only living Legionella can cause illness; culture tests now underway may take up to two weeks to provide results.
The Yankees said their stadium tower was drained and cleaned on Sunday morning, according to AP. In a statement also carried by ABC7, the team said no current cases had been linked to the stadium and health officials had not asked it to postpone games. The source investigation remains open.
The city describes Legionnaires’ as pneumonia acquired by inhaling mist containing live bacteria, without person-to-person spread. It urges people who have lived, worked or visited the affected area since late August to seek immediate care for flu-like symptoms. Early diagnosis allows antibiotic treatment; adults aged 50 or over and people with weakened immunity face greater risk.
Officials say tap water, showers and air conditioners remain safe in the affected area unless advised otherwise, with no additional risk from being inside the ten buildings. The department plans an in-person public meeting at Metropolitan College in the Bronx at 6 p.m. on September 15, while laboratory work and community outreach continue.
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