NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – New York City health officials discovered Legionella DNA in a Yankee Stadium cooling tower during an investigation into an outbreak in the South Bronx. By Tuesday night, the city confirmed 11 cases of Legionnaires’ disease. One person lost their life, and three remain hospitalized. The New York City Health Department detected preliminary positive PCR results in 10 of 24 cooling towers sampled across ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
The outbreak area includes parts of the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods. Health officials tested cooling towers to find potential environmental sources of the infections. PCR testing detects genetic material from Legionella bacteria but does not confirm if the bacteria are alive. Culture testing can verify if bacteria are viable, but it can take up to two weeks, according to officials.
The Yankees stated that the current outbreak has no connection to Yankee Stadium. The team mentioned its cooling towers were installed in 2024 and undergo regular water quality checks. A Legionella test on Aug. 20 was negative. The Yankees also performed weekly water and bacteriological testing on Aug. 26, Sept. 2, and Sept. 9. The stadium sample was collected on Sept. 11, prior to city investigators’ visit.
City Orders Disinfection of Stadium Tower as Testing Continues
All 10 cooling towers with positive preliminary PCR results have been ordered to undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection. The New York City Health Department set a deadline of Sept. 14 for this work. Later, Health Commissioner Alister Martin confirmed remediation was completed on each tower with concerning results. The Yankees said the stadium cooling tower was drained, cleaned, and disinfected on Sept. 13 after the city informed them of the initial finding.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Infection occurs mainly through inhaling tiny water droplets containing the bacteria. The disease usually does not spread from person to person. Symptoms include fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. Officials advised anyone who has lived, worked, or visited the South Bronx since late August to seek medical attention if flu-like symptoms appear.
Investigation Continues to Trace the Outbreak’s Origin
Eight of the 10 cooling towers with initial positive results passed the city’s 31-day Legionella testing requirement, health officials reported. Two properties have not yet provided the necessary testing data. Authorities are still reviewing lab results and case details from the South Bronx cluster. The investigation includes cooling towers at Yankee Stadium and other nearby sites. They aim to identify the source linked to the confirmed cases.
The Health Department reassured residents in ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 that tap water, showers, and air conditioning remain safe for use. They also said entering buildings connected to the cooling towers poses no additional risk. The Yankees stated health authorities have not asked them to cancel or postpone upcoming games at Yankee Stadium. City officials continue to monitor cases while lab culture testing on samples from the South Bronx is still underway.