NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – New York City health officials detected Legionella DNA in a Yankee Stadium cooling tower during an investigation into a South Bronx outbreak. The city had confirmed 11 Legionnaires’ disease cases by Tuesday night. One person died, while three patients remained hospitalized. The New York City Health Department found preliminary positive PCR results in 10 of 24 cooling towers sampled across ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
The affected area includes parts of the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods. Health officials tested cooling towers while tracing possible environmental sources of the infections. PCR testing can identify genetic material from Legionella bacteria, but it does not establish whether the bacteria remain alive. Culture testing can determine whether viable bacteria are present, and officials said that laboratory process can take up to two weeks.
The New York Yankees said the current outbreak has not been linked to Yankee Stadium. The team said its cooling towers were installed in 2024 and receive regular water quality checks. A Legionella test performed Aug. 20 returned a negative result. The Yankees also conducted weekly water quality and bacteriological indicator testing on Aug. 26, Sept. 2 and Sept. 9, before city investigators collected the stadium sample on Sept. 11.
Stadium tower cleaned as city expands testing
City health officials ordered all 10 cooling towers with positive preliminary PCR results to undergo complete cleaning and disinfection. The New York City Health Department required the work to be finished by Sept. 14. Health Commissioner Alister Martin later said each tower with a concerning result had undergone remediation. The Yankees said the stadium cooling tower was drained, cleaned and disinfected on Sept. 13 after the city notified the organization about the preliminary finding.
Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Infection usually occurs when people breathe small droplets of water containing the bacteria. The disease generally does not spread between people. Symptoms can include fever, cough and trouble breathing. Health officials advised anyone who lived, worked or visited the affected South Bronx area since late August to contact a medical provider if flu-like symptoms develop.
Officials continue search for outbreak source
Eight of the 10 cooling towers with preliminary positive results met the city’s 31-day Legionella testing requirement, according to health officials. Two properties had not provided the required testing information when the city released its findings. Investigators continue reviewing laboratory results and case information from the South Bronx cluster. The inquiry includes cooling towers at Yankee Stadium and other properties within the affected neighborhoods as officials work to identify the source connected with the confirmed illnesses.
The Health Department said residents in ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 can continue using tap water, showers and air conditioners normally. Officials also said entering buildings associated with the 10 cooling towers does not create an additional risk. The Yankees said health authorities have not asked the organization to postpone games at Yankee Stadium. City officials continue monitoring cases while laboratory culture testing proceeds on samples collected during the South Bronx Legionnaires’ disease investigation.