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 August 26, 2025
Parkchester South Condominiums are now the subject of another Legionnaires’ disease cluster in the Bronx. Apparently unrelated to the Central Harlem Outbreak cluster that has sickened over 100 people and claimed six lives so far.
While the Central Harlem cases are associated with Legionella contaminated cooling towers, the Parkchester South Condominiums cluster appears to be related to the building’s hot water plumbing system.
Here’s what we know about the situation right now.
The New York City Health Department was alerted to a potential Legionnaires’ disease cluster at Parkchester South Condominiums after cases were reported to them. When more than two residents test positive for Legionella bacteria within a 12-month period and their units share a common hot water system, officials explained that “a building evaluation is triggered.”
What does that mean?
While it may vary from one situation to another, it often involves analyzing water samples and taking a look at maintenance protocols and records.
“While Legionella bacteria in the environment is common, Legionnaires’ disease is not a common disease. Among the 8.5 million people living in NYC, between 200 and 700 people are diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease each year. Every case of Legionnaires’ disease is required to be reported to the Health Department, and our staff follow up on every report,” the health department said.
The actual number of cases involved in this cluster have not yet been made public. However, at least two cases are required to prompt this activity.
This cluster of illnesses is thought to be linked to the building’s internal hot water system. Making it a completely different situation.
These scenarios are more self-contained. As opposed to those where cooling towers are involved. There, Legionella can move from building to building on air currents. Creating outbreaks that span multiple neighborhoods.
For this exposure event, the New York City Health Department says there is no risk to surrounding communities.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling Legionella bacteria. You become sick when you breathe in these germs on aerosolized water or mists.
These microscopic germs typically live in natural water environments like lakes, streams, and rivers. They become a problem to human health when they find their way into our water systems. In this case, hot water systems. Or the cooling towers involved in the deadly Central Harlem Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.
But there are other places Legionella bacteria can thrive. Making them hot spots for Legionnaires’ disease if systems are not properly cleaned and maintained.
Legionnaires’ disease can be spread by anything that creates an aerosol or mist.
Common sources of Legionella bacteria include:
Fortunately, unlike some other respiratory illnesses, Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious. Meaning, you cannot get sick from being around others who are sick.
It is not spread through person-to-person contact.
Most people with a fairly healthy immune system generally do not become sick when exposed to Legionella bacteria (the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease). However, certain groups of people are at an increased risk due to existing health factors.
While the infection can be treated with antibiotics, it is a serious illness. Most infected higher risk individuals will require hospitalization to make a full recovery and 1 in 10 will die from the infection. If the illness is acquired in a healthcare facility, mortality rate jumps to 25%.
Common risk factors include:
If you have visited, worked, or stayed in Parkchester South Condominiums and have one or more of the above criteria, you are at higher risk of infection.
If you have been exposed to Legionella at Parkchester South Condominiums, 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 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.
If you or a loved one becomes sick with Legionnaires’ disease following exposure to Legionella at Parkchester South Condominiums, it is a good idea to get legal advice from an experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer.
If you or a loved one become sick from exposure to Legionella at Parkchester South Condominiums in The 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.
Legionnaires’ disease spreads when building systems are not properly maintained. Where Legionella bacteria are allowed to grow into infectious numbers and circulated throughout a water system. It is entirely preventable and outbreaks are often associated with negligence and lapses in established preventative protocols.
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.
Get the justice you deserve! Call today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)