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 13, 2026
Reports of Legionnaires’ disease in South Bronx (including one death) prompts another NYC investigation.
A recent New York City Health Department press release indicated there is another Legionnaires’ disease cluster in the city. This time in South Bronx.
Like the Upper East Side outbreak, this one appears to be linked to cooling towers.
How many people have been impacted so far? Where are these illnesses being reported? What should you do if you get sick?
Here’s what we know so far about Legionnaires’ disease in South Bronx!
The New York City Health Department has announced a Community Cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in South Bronx. As of September 13, 2026, ten people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease within the same geographical area. Eight people have been hospitalized and three are still in hospital. Confirmatory testing is pending for other potential cases.
One death has been reported so far.
“Our disease investigators have confirmed five cases of Legionnaires’ disease and are working quickly to identify and confirm any additional cases in the area. Sadly, one person has died, and our deepest condolences are with their loved ones,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. “I understand that New Yorkers may have heightened concerns following the recent Upper East Side cluster. We are taking immediate action. Water ecologists have sampled cooling towers in the affected area. Any cooling tower that tests positive will be directed to undergo full cleaning and disinfection immediately. Community health workers will be canvassing the neighborhood. Anyone who lives, works, or has visited the affected area since late August and is experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible.”
New York City Health Department has linked the known cases to two Bronx area neighborhoods. Melrose and Morrisania. These include corresponding ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
Health officials say that “New Yorkers who live, work, or have visited the affected area since late August and are experiencing flu-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.”
A Health Alert is also being issued to area health care providers, advising them to consider Legionnaires’ disease in patients presenting “compatible symptoms.”
Legionnaires’ disease clusters are usually connected to contaminated water supply or cooling towers. Like the previous Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the region, investigators believe the source to be cooling towers again.
Cooling towers in the area have been sampled and testing is underway at the Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory.
Regulations require building owners that test positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria to conduct a full remediation. This includes activities such as draining, cleaning, and disinfecting the affected tower.
With this being the second community Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City this summer, you may be wondering if these types of outbreaks are common.
The answer is complicated.
This current cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in South Bronx comes on the heels of the deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in July. Looking at recent history, this isn’t outside of the norm.
In the press release, the New York City Health Department admits that two Legionnaires’ disease clusters were investigated in 2015, 2017, and 2018. Three took place in 2016.
This is likely due to how those Legionella contaminations spread.
Legionella is the bacterium responsible for Legionnaires’ disease. It is a naturally occurring microorganism in freshwater environments. Places like lakes and streams. The risk of exposure in these environments, however, is rather small.
The real problem comes when the bacteria grow and spread in human-made water systems.
Cooling towers used for centralized air-cooling systems for buildings or other industrial processes are the most common modern mode of Legionella infection. Though there are other water sources of exposure.
Large, complex plumbing systems or those with dead pipes where construction is in progress allow bacteria to grow and spread. Hot water tanks and hot water heaters provide a happy, warm environment and a place to hang out, leading to potential Legionella bacterial growth. Shower heads and sink faucets as well as hot tubs provide modes of exposure. Even decorative fountains and water features that can be found in both indoor and outdoor locations.
Legionnaires’ disease is not generally spread from person to person. It isn’t contagious.
People become infected with Legionella bacteria by breathing in contaminated water droplets caused by aerosolized water in the air. A process naturally created by cooling towers. Which is why cooling towers are the most common source of Legionnaires’ disease.
With one death already reported from the ten outbreak cases, this outbreak has already become 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.
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:
If you have been exposed to Legionnaires’ disease in South Bronx, you should monitor for symptoms for 2 weeks after your potential exposure.
Common symptoms include typical pneumonia symptoms such as acute onset of lower respiratory illness with fever and/or cough.
Other symptoms may include:
Diagnosis can be tricky so it is often misdiagnosed. You see, 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.
If you or a loved one becomes sick with Legionnaires’ disease following exposure to Legionella in South Bronx, it is a good idea to get legal advice from an experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer.
If you or a loved one has become sick from exposure to Legionella in South Bronx 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.
According to the CDC, nine out of ten healthcare-associated outbreaks could have been prevented with effective water management.
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)