NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – In New York City, during an investigation into a South Bronx outbreak, health officials identified Legionella DNA in a Yankee Stadium cooling tower. The city confirmed 11 cases of Legionnaires’ disease by Tuesday night, with one individual passing away and three remaining hospitalized. The New York City Health Department reported preliminary positive PCR results from 10 of 24 sampled cooling towers across ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
This region covers portions of the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods. As part of tracing potential environmental sources of the infections, health officials sampled cooling towers. PCR testing detects Legionella bacteria’s genetic material but does not confirm whether the bacteria are alive. To determine viability, culture testing is necessary, which officials said can take up to two weeks for results.
The Yankees have stated that the current outbreak has not been linked to Yankee Stadium. Their cooling towers, installed in 2024, undergo routine water quality checks. A Legionella test on Aug. 20 yielded a negative result. Additionally, the team carried out weekly water quality and bacteriological indicator testing on Aug. 26, Sept. 2, and Sept. 9, prior to the stadium sample collection by city investigators on Sept. 11.
Stadium tower disinfected as city expands testing efforts
City health officials mandated the comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of all 10 cooling towers that returned preliminary positive PCR results. The New York City Health Department set a deadline of Sept. 14 for completion. Later, Health Commissioner Alister Martin confirmed that remediation had been carried out on each tower with a concerning result. The Yankees reported that their stadium cooling tower was drained, cleaned, and disinfected on Sept. 13 after being notified of the initial finding by city officials.
Legionnaires’ disease, a pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, typically results from inhaling tiny water droplets containing the bacteria. It usually does not spread from person to person. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. Health authorities advised anyone residing, working, or visiting the South Bronx area since late August to seek medical attention if flu-like symptoms appear.
Ongoing efforts to identify the outbreak’s source continue
According to health officials, eight of the 10 cooling towers with preliminary positive results have met the city’s 31-day Legionella testing requirement. The remaining two properties have not yet supplied the necessary testing data. Investigators are actively reviewing laboratory results and case information related to the South Bronx cluster. The investigation includes examining cooling towers at Yankee Stadium and other local properties to pinpoint the source linked to the confirmed cases.
The Health Department reassured residents in ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 that they can continue using tap water, showers, and air conditioning without concern. They also clarified that entering buildings associated with the identified cooling towers does not pose an additional risk. The Yankees stated that health authorities have not requested the organization to delay any scheduled games at Yankee Stadium. City officials remain vigilant as laboratory culture testing on samples collected during the South Bronx Legionnaires’ disease investigation continues.