Source of South Bronx deadly legionnaires cluster eliminated, health officials say
It has been more than two weeks since anyone who lives in, works in, or visited Melrose and Morrisania presented symptoms of Legionnaires' disease.
More Stories
The New York City Department of Health says the source of the South Bronx Legionnaires' cluster has been eliminated, and there is no longer an elevated risk of exposure to the disease.
It has been more than two weeks since anyone who lives in, works in, or visited Melrose and Morrisania presented symptoms of Legionnaires' disease. The 10 cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella were cleaned over two weeks ago.
Twenty-three people have been diagnosed with the disease. Two of those people have died, and two others remain in the hospital, as of 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The Department of Health first announced the cluster in Melrose and Morrisania - zip codes 10451 and 10456 - on Sept. 10. Officials say they sampled 24 cooling towers for Legionella that same day.
Two additional zip codes, 10455 and 10459, were linked to the outbreak on Sept. 21.
Three days later, the Department of Health identified the locations of the 10 towers that returned a positive PCR test, meaning growing Legionella was present at the time of testing. These buildings included Yankee Stadium and Lincoln Hospital.
However, officials say only the living form of the bacteria can cause Legionnaires' disease.
On Sept. 24, seven of those 10 towers tested positive for live Legionella through a culture test.
The Health Department says it has distributed more than 10,000 palm cards and flyers in the affected neighborhoods since the start of its investigation. Officials also held virtual and in-person town halls to keep residents informed about the cluster.
"The increased risk of exposure has ended, and the source has been eliminated, but our work is not over. We will hold accountable any cooling tower operator who fails to follow the rules of this city and jeopardizes the health of New Yorkers," said Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. "I want to thank our community partners, especially the local elected officials, for their help getting accurate information into the hands of the community."
The department says it is continuing to investigate and research legionnaires' disease. They are using molecular analysis to try to identify the cooling tower where a specific patient may have contracted Legionnaires' and expect results by late fall.
