NYC Health Department Orders 10 Cooling Towers Cleaned and Disinfected as South Bronx Legionnaires Investigation Continues

NYC Health Department Orders 10 Cooling Towers Cleaned and Disinfected as South Bronx Legionnaires Investigation Continues

Preliminary Testing Finds Legionella Bacteria in 10 Cooling Towers; All Have Been Ordered to be Cleaned and Disinfected by September 14

Anyone Who Lives, Works or Has Visited the Affected Area Since Late August and Develops Flu-Like Symptoms Should Contact a Health Care Provider Immediately

It is Safe to Shower, Drink Tap Water and Use Air Conditioners in the Affected Zip Codes; There is no Additional Risk From Being Inside Any of The 10 Buildings

Health Department to Hold Virtual Town Hall Sunday at 3 p.m. and In-Person Town Hall Tuesday at 6 p.m.

September 13, 2026 - Today, the New York City Health Department ordered 10 cooling towers in the South Bronx neighborhoods of Melrose and Morrisania to be cleaned and disinfected as the City continues its investigation into a community cluster of Legionnaires' disease.

All 10 cooling towers are located in parts of ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 and are required to complete remediation by September 14.

The Health Department sampled all cooling towers in the affected area on September 10, within 12 hours of identifying the cluster. Preliminary PCR testing was completed by September 12, and orders to clean and disinfect the 10 cooling towers were issued the same day.

The 10 cooling towers tested positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria through an initial PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. PCR testing can detect the presence of Legionella bacteria but cannot determine whether the bacteria are alive or dead and does not confirm that a cooling tower is the source of exposure. Only live Legionella bacteria can cause illness.

The Health Department is also conducting culture testing to determine whether live Legionella bacteria were present when the samples were collected. Culture results can take up to two weeks. To reduce the risk of additional exposure while culture testing continues, the Health Department is requiring all cooling towers with a positive PCR result to undergo full remediation, including draining, cleaning and disinfection.

The 10 cooling towers with positive PCR results are located at:

• 820 Concourse Village West
• 234 E. 149th St.
• 1 E. 161st St.
• 470 E. 161st St.
• 1265 Franklin Ave.
• 567 Melrose Ave.
• 3339 Park Ave.
• 1160 Teller Ave.
• 890 Washington Ave.
• 1085 Washington Ave.

Eight of the 10 cooling towers that tested positive by PCR are compliant with the 31-day testing requirement that took effect on May 8. The cooling towers at 820 Concourse Village West and 1265 Franklin Ave. were not compliant.

The Health Department has tested 24 cooling towers as part of the investigation. The department has completed annual inspections of all but two of those cooling towers since August 2025, and 75% are in compliance with the 31-day testing requirement. As part of the investigation, the Health Department will inspect every cooling tower in the affected area to review compliance with City laws and regulations.

Citywide, 82% of cooling tower systems are in compliance. Since May 8, the Health Department has conducted more than 900 cooling tower inspections and, as of September 5, more than $111,000 in fines have been paid.

The South Bronx Investigation

On September 10, the Health Department immediately launched an investigation after identifying a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases in close proximity in Melrose and Morrisania, which are part of ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.

Anyone who lives, works or has visited the area since late August and develops flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider immediately.

Beginning September 11, Health Department community health workers began canvassing the affected neighborhoods. To date, the department has engaged 225 community members and 41 organizations and distributed more than 800 Legionnaires' disease flyers and palm cards.

Additional community engagement is planned in the coming days. The Health Department will host a virtual Town Hall at 3 p.m. Sunday, September 13, and an in-person Town Hall on at 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 15, at Metropolitan College in the Bronx.

As of September 12, nine people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in connection with the cluster. Three people are currently hospitalized, four have been discharged and one did not require hospitalization. One person has died.

About Legionnaires' Disease

Legionnaires' disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which naturally occur in water. People develop Legionnaires' disease by breathing in mist containing live Legionella bacteria. The disease is not spread from person to person.

Symptoms typically develop two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, chills, muscle aches, shortness of breath and cough. Legionnaires' disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics when diagnosed early.

Most people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not become sick. People at an increased risk include adults age 50 and older, people who smoke or vape, people with chronic lung disease, people with weakened immune systems and people taking medications that suppress the immune system.

Cooling towers, which release water mist into the outside air, have been identified as the source of previous community clusters of Legionnaires' disease.

It remains safe to use air conditioners and cooling centers in the affected ZIP codes. It is also safe to shower and drink tap water. There is no additional risk from being inside any of the 10 buildings with cooling towers that tested positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria.

###

MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]