Additional Coverage:
The New York City Health Department has mandated the cleaning and disinfection of 10 cooling towers in the South Bronx following preliminary tests detecting Legionella bacteria, as officials investigate a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
Among the sites identified are notable locations such as Yankee Stadium at 1 E. 161st Street, where the Yankees recently played the Mets in the Subway Series, and Lincoln Hospital at 234 E. 149th Street. The Boricua College Bronx Campus at 890 Washington Avenue is also included.
As of Sunday, there are nine confirmed cases linked to this cluster, with three hospitalizations and one fatality reported. The Health Department expects the mandatory cleaning and disinfection process of these cooling towers to be completed by Monday.
Initial PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests revealed the presence of Legionella DNA in the 10 towers, but city health officials caution that PCR testing cannot distinguish between live bacteria capable of causing illness and dead bacteria. “Only live Legionella bacteria pose a health risk,” explained NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin during a virtual town hall for residents of Melrose and Morrisania.
To determine whether live bacteria are present, the city is conducting culture tests, though results may take up to two weeks. So far, 24 cooling towers have been inspected as part of the ongoing investigation.
The cooling towers that tested positive via PCR are located at:
- 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.
- 1085 Washington Ave.
Residents, workers, and visitors in the affected areas since late August who develop flu-like symptoms are urged to seek medical attention promptly. Officials emphasize that it remains safe to shower, drink tap water, and use air conditioning units in the impacted ZIP codes unless otherwise directed. Additionally, there is no increased risk associated with entering any of the buildings housing the cooling towers that tested positive.
The Health Department will hold an in-person town hall meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Metropolitan College in the Bronx to provide further updates and answer community questions.