NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – A cooling tower at Yankee Stadium tested positive for Legionella DNA in initial assessments, as New York City probes a Legionnaires’ disease cluster in the South Bronx. By Tuesday night, the city confirmed 11 cases, including one fatality, with three individuals still hospitalized. The New York City Health Department identified 10 cooling towers with positive preliminary PCR findings across ZIP codes 10451 and 10456, covering parts of Melrose and Morrisania.
In their investigation, city health officials sampled a total of 24 cooling towers, with 10 returning positive PCR results, including the tower located at Yankee Stadium at 1 E. 161st St. PCR testing detects genetic material from Legionella bacteria but does not determine whether bacteria are alive. As only live Legionella bacteria can cause illness, further laboratory culture testing is ongoing to establish if viable bacteria exist in the sampled towers.
The Yankees stated that no cases in this current cluster have been linked to Yankee Stadium. The team reported that its cooling towers, installed in 2024, are regularly tested for water quality. A Legionella test on Aug. 20 was negative, and the team also conducted weekly water and bacteriological indicator tests on Aug. 26, Sept. 2, and Sept. 9, prior to the city’s sampling on Sept. 11, according to Yankees officials.
Cooling towers undergo cleaning following initial positive findings
All 10 cooling towers with positive PCR results were ordered by the New York City Health Department to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, with remediation mandated to be completed by Sept. 14. Health Commissioner Alister Martin stated on Tuesday that all towers with concerning positive results had been cleaned and disinfected. The Yankees explained that the Yankee Stadium cooling tower was drained, cleaned, and disinfected on Sept. 13 after the city shared its preliminary findings.
Legionnaires’ disease, caused by Legionella bacteria, manifests as a form of pneumonia. Infection typically occurs when individuals inhale tiny water droplets containing the bacteria. The disease usually does not spread directly from person to person. Symptoms may include fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. City officials have advised residents, workers, and visitors in the South Bronx area since late August to seek medical attention if flu-like symptoms develop.
Investigation into South Bronx Legionnaires’ disease continues
Health authorities noted that eight of the 10 towers with initial positive results adhered to the city’s 31-day Legionella testing regulation. Two locations had yet to provide the required testing data when the findings were announced. The ongoing investigation involves cooling towers in the affected South Bronx neighborhoods, including sites at Yankee Stadium and other properties. Officials are analyzing laboratory results and epidemiological data to identify the source of exposure related to the confirmed cases.
The Health Department assured residents in ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 that it is safe to continue drinking tap water, showering, and using air conditioning systems unless further guidance is issued. They also clarified that being inside buildings connected to the 10 cooling towers does not pose an additional risk. The Yankees confirmed that city health officials have not asked the team to delay any scheduled games at Yankee Stadium. The department is actively monitoring confirmed cases while laboratory work on samples collected during the South Bronx investigation is ongoing.