NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – Results from early testing have revealed Legionella DNA in a cooling tower at Yankee Stadium, as New York City continues its investigation into a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in the South Bronx. As of Tuesday night, the city confirmed 11 cases, including one fatality. Three individuals remain hospitalized. The New York City Health Department identified 10 cooling towers with positive preliminary PCR results across ZIP codes 10451 and 10456, covering parts of Melrose and Morrisania.
During the investigation, city health officials sampled 24 cooling towers, of which 10 returned positive PCR results. Among them was the tower at Yankee Stadium, located at 1 E. 161st St. PCR testing identifies genetic material from Legionella bacteria but does not determine if the bacteria are alive. Since only living Legionella bacteria can cause illness, additional laboratory culture testing is currently underway to establish the presence of viable bacteria in the sampled towers.
The New York Yankees stated that none of the confirmed cases in the current cluster have been linked to Yankee Stadium. They confirmed that their cooling towers, installed in 2024, are subjected to routine water quality testing. A Legionella test on Aug. 20 returned negative results, according to the Yankees. The team also performed weekly water quality and bacteriological indicator tests on Aug. 26, Sept. 2, and Sept. 9, prior to the city collecting its PCR sample on Sept. 11.
Cooling towers undergo cleaning following initial positive results
All 10 cooling towers with positive PCR outcomes have been mandated by the New York City Health Department to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Authorities set a deadline of Sept. 14 for remediation. Health Commissioner Alister Martin announced on Tuesday that all towers with concerning positive findings had been successfully cleaned and disinfected. The Yankees reported that the Yankee Stadium cooling tower was drained, cleaned, and disinfected on Sept. 13, after the city notified the organization of its preliminary findings.
Legionnaires’ disease manifests as a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Infection typically occurs when individuals inhale tiny water droplets containing the bacteria. It is generally not spread through person-to-person contact. Symptoms may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. City officials have advised residents, workers, and visitors to the South Bronx area since late August to consult a healthcare provider if flu-like symptoms develop.
City persists with South Bronx Legionnaires’ disease investigation
According to health authorities, eight of the 10 towers with positive preliminary results have complied with the city’s 31-day Legionella testing requirement. Two sites have yet to submit the necessary testing documentation at the time of the findings’ announcement. The investigation encompasses cooling towers in the affected South Bronx neighborhoods, including Yankee Stadium and other properties. Officials continue utilizing laboratory testing and epidemiological data to pinpoint the exposure source associated with the confirmed cases.
The Health Department assured residents in ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 that they can safely drink tap water, shower, and operate air conditioning units unless alternative guidance is issued. They also clarified that being indoors in buildings connected to the 10 cooling towers does not increase risk. The Yankees stated that city health officials have not requested postponement of games at Yankee Stadium. Monitoring of confirmed cases continues while laboratory analysis of samples collected during the South Bronx investigation is ongoing.