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 17, 2026
At least ten South Bronx cooling towers in Melrose and Morrisania have tested positive for Legionella. The deadly bacteria that has already claimed one life in this outbreak.
New regulations require monthly cooling tower maintenance. However it appears that some of those cooling towers have not submitted paperwork proving their compliance. These requirements were put in place following the recent Upper East Side Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that sickened 92 people, hospitalized 72, and linked to at least nine deaths.
How many people have become sick so far? Do we expect more? What exactly are the new cooling tower rules and how are they enforced?
Here’s what we know so far about the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak linked to South Bronx cooling towers!
As of September 16, 2026, at least 13 people have tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease with a connection to the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods. This currently includes ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
Three cases have been added since the Make Food Safe blog first reported the situation.
In all, 12 people were hospitalized with two people currently in hospital. One person has died.
Typical reporting delays and incubation periods mean that despite prompt action and remediation efforts, we will likely see more cases before this outbreak closes.
For now, New York City Health warns:
“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.”
Investigators believe this outbreak is linked to South Bronx cooling towers. A common mode of infection with this type of illness.
Rapid deployment of sampling activities have identified at least 10 contaminated cooling towers.
New York City Health initiated sampling for all cooling towers in the impacted South Bronx neighborhoods in ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 starting on September 10, 2026. All 24 cooling towers in the area were sampled within 12 hours of the department identifying the cluster of illnesses.
Preliminary testing was completed by September 12, with order for cooling towers containing Legionella DNA to be cleaned and disinfected the same day. Since preliminary tests cannot differentiate between dead and live Legionella bacteria, confirmatory tested was necessary for those testing positive.
Remediation is required by September 14, 2026.
The ten initial samples moved to confirmatory testing, which involves growing the specimen on a medium. If bacteria grow, it is proof that live bacteria were present in the cooling tower as opposed to remnants of disinfected bacteria.
According to the press release, cooling towers at the following addresses tested positive for Legionella bacterial DNA.
All annual South Bronx cooling tower inspections for 2025 have been completed and reviewed. The Department is on schedule to complete those annual inspections for 2026, however, inspections are taking place for these ten cooling towers “to review their compliance with local laws and regulations.”
According to reports, eight of the ten cooling towers that preliminarily tested positive were compliant with the 31-day testing requirement. A new requirement that took effect on May 8, 2026.
Two South Bronx cooling towers, on the other hand, have not provided testing information as required.
These are the cooling towers at 820 Concourse Village West and 1265 Frankline Ave.
New York City Health says that across the city, they have an 82% compliance rate with the monthly testing requirement. Since the new rule inception, 900 cooling towers have been inspected with more than $11,000 in fines paid for non-compliance.
The increased maintenance and vigilance in enforcement are important with so many Legionnaires’ disease illnesses hitting the city in recent years. Prevention is key to reducing illnesses, hospitalizations, and fatalities from this deadly germ.
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. This method of infection occurs in extremely rare and specific circumstances.
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.
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 from South Bronx cooling towers, 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 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 Legionnaires’ disease from South Bronx cooling towers 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)