NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – A cooling tower at Yankee Stadium has yielded Legionella DNA in preliminary tests as New York City probes a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the South Bronx. The city confirmed 11 cases by Tuesday night, including one fatality, with three individuals still hospitalized. The New York City Health Department pinpointed 10 cooling towers showing positive PCR results across ZIP codes 10451 and 10456, covering parts of Melrose and Morrisania.
In the course of investigating the cluster, city health officials sampled 24 cooling towers. Among them, 10 tested positive via PCR, including the Yankee Stadium tower located at 1 E. 161st St. PCR testing detects genetic material from Legionella bacteria but does not confirm if the bacteria are alive. Since only live Legionella bacteria pose a health risk, additional laboratory culture tests are underway to assess whether viable bacteria were present in the sampled cooling towers.
The Yankees stated that no confirmed cases within the current outbreak have been linked to Yankee Stadium. The team noted that its cooling towers, installed in 2024, are subject to routine water quality testing. A Legionella test performed on Aug. 20 returned negative, according to the team. Furthermore, the Yankees conducted 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 underwent cleaning following initial positive results
The New York City Health Department mandated comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of all 10 cooling towers that showed positive PCR results. The deadline for remediation was set for Sept. 14. Health Commissioner Alister Martin confirmed on Tuesday that all towers with concerning positive results had been properly cleaned and disinfected. The Yankees explained that the cooling tower at Yankee Stadium was drained, cleaned, and disinfected on Sept. 13 after the city notified the organization of its preliminary findings.
Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Typically, infection occurs through inhaling tiny water droplets containing the bacteria. It is generally not transmitted person-to-person. Symptoms often include fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. City officials advised residents who have lived, worked, or visited the South Bronx area since late August to seek medical attention 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 PCR results adhered to the city’s 31-day Legionella testing requirement. Two sites had not yet submitted the necessary testing information at the time the results were announced. The ongoing investigation focuses on cooling towers in the affected South Bronx neighborhoods, including those at Yankee Stadium and other locations. Officials continue to analyze laboratory data and epidemiological information to identify the source of exposure linked to the confirmed cases.
The Health Department reassured residents in ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 that they can safely continue drinking tap water, showering, and using air conditioning units unless instructed otherwise. They also clarified that being inside buildings connected to these 10 cooling towers does not increase the risk. The Yankees stated that city health officials have not requested the team to postpone any games at Yankee Stadium. Officials maintain ongoing surveillance of the confirmed cases while laboratory testing on samples collected during the South Bronx investigation continues.