Legionella detected at Yankee Stadium and 9 other towers

New York.– New York is keeping an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in The Bronx under investigation, after preliminary tests detected Legionella at Yankee Stadium and in nine other cooling towers located in the area where the infections have been recorded. So far, nine cases have been counted, including one deceased person.

The city’s Department of Health ordered the emptying, cleaning, and disinfection of the ten towers that tested positive. However, authorities warned that it has not yet been determined which of those facilities, if any, is related to the source of the outbreak.

One of the structures examined is located at Yankee Stadium, at 1 East 161st Street. The detection of Legionella at that facility does not mean that the stadium is the source of the infections, nor that people entering the premises face any additional risk.

Legionella in The Bronx

Health research is mainly concentrated in sectors of Melrose and Morrisania, within zip codes 10451 and 10456.

The Department of Health initially reported, on September 10, five diagnosed individuals and one death. Subsequently, the number of confirmed cases increased to nine. Of those, three patients remained hospitalized, four had been discharged, and one did not require hospitalization.

As part of the investigation, authorities analyzed 24 cooling towers in the area. Ten tested positive in preliminary PCR tests, which allow for the detection of the bacteria’s genetic material, but do not establish on their own whether the microorganisms were alive or if any of the facilities caused the infections.

The city ordered the preventive decontamination of the towers while analyses continue to identify the possible source of exposure to Legionella.

Legionella: symptoms and risk

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria of the genus Legionella, which can grow in water systems and spread through small droplets suspended in the air.

Community outbreaks have previously been linked to contaminated cooling towers, as this equipment can disperse steam or water particles into the environment. The disease is not usually transmitted directly between people.

Health authorities indicated that residents in the affected sectors may continue to drink tap water, shower, and use standard air conditioning systems.

Symptoms that require attention include fever, cough, muscle aches, chills, and difficulty breathing. The Department of Health recommended that those who live, work, or have been in the area since late August and exhibit signs consistent with the disease seek medical assistance.

People over 50 years of age, those who smoke or vape, and patients with chronic illnesses or a weakened immune system are at a higher risk of developing complications.

The investigation remains open as authorities attempt to determine the origin of the outbreak and verify compliance with cleaning measures in the affected towers.