Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Legionella,Legionnaire's disease,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on September 20, 2026
Another South Bronx Legionnaires’ death has been reported. This new death brings the total to two in this deadly South Bronx Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak. Additional illnesses have been added to the report, which has expanded the exposure zone to two more ZIP codes.
How many people have fallen sick so far? Where do investigators put the exposure zone now? Is there new information about the positive cooling towers?
Here’s what we know about the South Bronx Legionnaires’ disease situation so far!
Current outbreak totals have risen to 19 confirmed Legionnaires’ disease cases. However, additional cases may be added as more information becomes available.
In all, 17 people have been hospitalized, leaving only two people sick with Legionnaires’ disease not requiring hospitalization. Four are currently hospitalized for their illness.
It can take up to six weeks between a sick person reporting symptoms and their test results being connected to an ongoing outbreak investigation. So, it is possible we will see these statistics change over the coming weeks, despite efforts to reduce exposure in the associated ZIP codes.
Initial illnesses were connected to two South Bronx ZIP codes, which became the exposure zone for this outbreak. These were Melrose and Morrisania with ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
Cases with exposure within a few blocks of 10456 prompted outbreak investigators to expand the Exposure Zone to include 10455 and 40159.
New York Department of Health advises people in these areas to monitor themselves for symptoms.
“Any New Yorkers who currently live or work in this area or people who have visited the area since late August and are experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, should contact a healthcare provider immediately. Legionnaires’ disease is deadly but can be effectively treated if diagnosed early.”
Cooling towers in the initial exposure zone have been tested, with ten returning with positive results. Investigators are currently looking into those buildings.
According to the press release, cooling towers at the following addresses tested positive for Legionella bacterial DNA.
**Initially did not provide cooling tower maintenance records
Confirmatory testing is still in progress and can take up to three weeks for results.
Cooling towers in the newly expanded 10455 and 10459 ZIP codes are likely being sampled and inspected for maintenance records, just like the first round of buildings.
It is unclear whether or not the two buildings which did not initially provide cooling tower maintenance records have produced that documentation at this time. I expect another announcement in the coming days.
So, what types of businesses are in those two buildings?
Three major business entities share the building at 820 Concourse in the South Bronx.
These include the U.S. Social Security Administration, Pure Gym Concourse Village West, and The Children’s Law Center.
One major facility resides at 1265 Franklin Avenue in the Bronx. BronxCare Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Health Center’s main site.
This medical facility provides primary care and family medicine services as well as pediatrics, OB/GYN, dental, and other specialized care like ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology, and podiatry. It also houses a Family Wellness Center with specialized support programs.
If you have been exposed to Legionnaires’ disease from South Bronx cooling towers, you should monitor for symptoms for 2 weeks after your potential exposure. Particularly if you are high risk for Legionnaires’ disease.
So, who is high risk?
Most healthy individuals do not fall ill after being exposed to Legionella bacteria. However, certain groups of people are at an increased risk. While the infection can be treated with antibiotics, it is a serious illness. Most will require hospitalization to make a full recovery.
Common risk factors include:
Common symptoms include typical pneumonia symptoms such as acute onset of lower respiratory illness with fever and/or cough.
Other symptoms may include:
Diagnosis is particularly tricky, as Legionnaires’ disease often presents like other pnuemonial illnesses. It can even be indistinguishable on a chest x-ray. Specialized tests are required to identify a Legionella bacterial infection.
It is important to get medical attention right away if you begin experiencing Legionnaires’ disease symptoms. When caught and treated early, outcomes are far better. Without prompt treatment, the illness can turn deadly.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 20 people exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick. Rates of illness are high. And so is mortality rate. An unfortunate 1 in 10 will die from their infection.
This rises to one in four if the infection is acquired in a health care setting.
If you or a loved one has become sick from exposure to this outbreak which has already led to a South Bronx Legionnaires’ death and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help!
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC specializes in Legionnaires’ disease cases and has helped countless families receive the justice they deserve.
Becoming sick from negligence can be a costly and potentially fatal outcome.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation and determine if you have a legal case.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)