Bronx Legionnaires' disease outbreak grows to 11 cases; 1 dead
The city has scheduled another community town hall that will take place on Tuesday to provide updates as the investigation continues.
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The Bronx Legionnaires' disease outbreak has grown to 11 confirmed cases, with three people currently hospitalized and one person dead, according to New York City health officials.
The Health Department tested 24 cooling towers as part of the investigation centered in the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods and found preliminary evidence of Legionella bacteria in 10 of them.
The 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. and 1085 Washington Ave.
All 10 cooling towers have been ordered to be drained, cleaned and disinfected by Sept. 14, while additional testing continues.
Health officials said the preliminary PCR tests detected Legionella DNA but do not yet confirm whether live bacteria were present or whether any specific cooling tower is the source of the outbreak.
Culture testing could take up to two weeks.
Lincoln Hospital said its cooling tower has already been drained, cleaned and disinfected.
The Yankees said no cases have been linked to Yankee Stadium and that immediate remediation was completed after a positive test result was identified.
Health officials stressed that it remains safe to drink tap water, shower, use air conditioners and enter any of the buildings where the cooling towers are located.
The city has scheduled another community town hall that will take place on Tuesday to provide updates as the investigation continues.
Anyone who lives, works or has visited the affected area since late August and develops flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, chills, muscle aches or shortness of breath, is urged to contact a healthcare provider immediately.
The city is hosting an in-person town hall at Metropolitan College Tuesday night at 6p.m.
