New York's third Legionnaires outbreak in two years raises recurring pattern concerns
NYC's third Legionnaires outbreak in two years reflects a recurring pattern of disease resurgence.
Event / Health
NYC Legionnaires Outbreak 2026
Nine confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease in South Bronx cluster with one death. Ten cooling towers tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Third major outbreak in NYC within approximately one year.
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2026-09-15 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 15 Sept, 03:44 UTC
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What happened
Nine confirmed Legionnaires' disease cases in South Bronx cluster
New York City health officials confirmed nine cases of Legionnaires' disease in a cluster affecting ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 in the South Bronx. Three people were hospitalized and one person died from the outbreak. The investigation began after the NYC Department of Health identified the cluster in the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods.
Harlem Legionnaires' outbreak in 2025 killed seven people
A Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem in 2025 killed seven people and sickened dozens of others.
Previous Legionnaires' outbreak on Manhattan Upper East Side killed 11 people
An earlier Legionnaires' disease outbreak in summer 2026 on Manhattan's Upper East Side killed 11 people among more than 90 who tested positive. Fifty-nine cooling towers at 58 buildings tested positive for live Legionella bacteria. All those towers were cleaned and disinfected.
Legionnaires' disease mortality rate approximately 10 percent
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionnaires' disease is treatable but kills approximately 10 percent of patients. The disease is caused by Legionella bacteria which grow in warm water and can spread in hot tubs and building cooling equipment. People may contract the disease by inhaling contaminated water droplets, but it does not spread person-to-person.
NYC Health Department orders investigation of 24 cooling towers
The New York City Health Department inspected 24 cooling towers as part of the investigation into the South Bronx Legionnaires' disease cluster. The investigation began after the department identified cases in the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods.
Lincoln Hospital cooling tower cleaned after Legionella detection
A cooling tower at Lincoln Hospital located at 234 E. 149th St. in the Bronx tested positive for Legionella bacteria. The tower was drained, cleaned and disinfected as of Sunday evening, according to NYC Health + Hospitals.
Ten cooling towers in South Bronx test positive for Legionella bacteria
The New York City Health Department ordered ten cooling towers in the South Bronx to be cleaned and disinfected after preliminary PCR testing found the presence of Legionella bacteria. The ten towers are located at: 820 Concourse Village West, 234 E. 149th St. (Lincoln Hospital), 1 E. 161st St. (Yankee Stadium), 470 E. 161st St., 1265 Franklin Ave., 567 Melrose Ave., 3339 Park Ave., 1160 Teller Ave., 890 Washington Ave. (Boricua College Bronx Campus), and 1085 Washington Ave. Eight of the ten towers were in compliance with the city's 31-day testing requirement instituted in May, while two towers at 820 Concourse Village West and 1265 Franklin Ave. were not in compliance. Mandatory cleaning and disinfection was expected to be completed by Monday.
NYC officials advise residents to seek care for flu-like symptoms
New York City health officials advised anyone who lives, works, or has visited the Melrose and Morrisania sections of the Bronx since late August and develops flu-like symptoms to contact a healthcare provider immediately. Authorities stated it is safe to shower, drink tap water, and use air conditioners in the affected ZIP codes unless otherwise advised, and that there is no additional risk from being inside any of the ten buildings with cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria.
NYC Health Department conducting culture testing on Legionella samples
The New York City Health Department is conducting culture testing on samples from the ten positive cooling towers to determine whether live Legionella bacteria were present when the samples were collected. Culture testing results can take up to two weeks. Dr. Alister Martin, NYC Health Commissioner, explained that PCR testing cannot distinguish between live and dead Legionella bacteria, and only live bacteria can cause Legionnaires' disease.
Legionella bacteria detected in cooling tower at Yankee Stadium
Testing found Legionella bacteria in a cooling tower at Yankee Stadium located at 1 E. 161st St. in the Bronx. The Yankees reported that new state-of-the-art cooling towers were installed at the stadium in 2024 and have been tested weekly for water quality and bacteria since installation. Testing on August 20 was negative for Legionella bacteria. The team stated that no current cases have been associated with Yankee Stadium.
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