NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – Legionella DNA has been identified in a Yankee Stadium cooling tower as part of an investigation into an outbreak in the South Bronx, according to New York City health officials. The city confirmed 11 cases of Legionnaires’ disease by Tuesday night, resulting in one death and three individuals still hospitalized. The New York City Health Department reported preliminary positive PCR results from 10 out of 24 sampled cooling towers across ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
The affected zones include parts of the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods. As part of their investigation into environmental sources of the infections, health officials tested cooling towers. PCR testing detects genetic material from Legionella bacteria but does not confirm whether the bacteria are still alive. To determine bacterial viability, culture testing is necessary, a process which officials said can take up to two weeks.
The Yankees stated that the current outbreak has not been linked to Yankee Stadium. The team explained that its cooling towers, installed in 2024, are regularly tested for water quality. A Legionella test conducted on August 20 returned a negative result. Additionally, weekly water quality and bacteriological indicator tests were performed on August 26, September 2, and September 9, prior to city investigators sampling the stadium on September 11.
Stadium tower disinfected as city broadens testing efforts
All 10 cooling towers with preliminary positive PCR findings have been mandated by the city to undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection. The New York City Health Department set a deadline of September 14 for completing this work. Health Commissioner Alister Martin later confirmed that each tower with a concerning result had been remediated. The Yankees reported that the stadium’s cooling tower was drained, cleaned, and disinfected on September 13 after receiving notification of the preliminary finding.
Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, typically infects people when they inhale tiny water droplets containing the bacteria. The disease generally does not spread from person to person. Symptoms often include fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. Health officials advised anyone who has lived, worked, or visited the South Bronx area since late August to seek medical attention if flu-like symptoms appear.
Investigation continues to identify the infection source
According to health officials, eight of the 10 cooling towers with preliminary positive results have satisfied the city’s 31-day Legionella testing requirement. Two properties had not submitted the necessary testing documentation at the time of the investigation’s release. Authorities are still analyzing laboratory results and case data from the South Bronx cluster. The investigation includes cooling towers at Yankee Stadium and other sites within the impacted neighborhoods as they work to determine the origin of the confirmed cases.
The Health Department reassured residents in ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 that they can continue to use tap water, showers, and air conditioning normally. Officials also clarified that accessing buildings associated with the 10 cooling towers does not pose an additional risk. The Yankees confirmed that health authorities have not requested the postponement of games at Yankee Stadium. As the city continues to monitor cases, laboratory culture tests are underway on samples collected during the South Bronx outbreak investigation.