Deadly bacteria detected as NYC orders emergency cleaning of cooling towers

Health officials ordered the immediate remediation of 10 rooftop cooling towers in the South Bronx after preliminary testing detected Legionella bacteria amid a growing Legionnaires’ disease cluster that has sickened nine people and left one dead.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued orders to clean and disinfect the sites. Among the affected structures are cooling towers at major hubs, including Yankee Stadium and Lincoln Hospital.

As public health workers work to clean the equipment, experts note that recurring outbreaks in these neighborhoods highlight deeper systemic vulnerabilities.

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"When we look at outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease, in New York City, we almost always see it in the Bronx or Harlem," Dr. Tyler Evans, CEO of the Wellness Equity Alliance and former first chief medical officer for New York City, told Fox News Digital.

"A lot of times, we see risk of infections taking place in historically marginalized communities."

New York City health officials ordered the immediate remediation of 10 South Bronx cooling towers — including units at Yankee Stadium and Lincoln Hospital — after detecting Legionella DNA during a cluster investigation that has sickened nine people and caused one death. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)

The department identified the cluster following a surge in cases dating back to late August. Tests confirmed traces of Legionella in 10 of 24 sampled towers, according to city health officials.

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests return results quickly, but cannot distinguish between live and dead bacteria. Culture tests to confirm live bacteria can take up to two weeks, prompting city health officials to order immediate cleaning out of caution.

Late-summer weather has compounded the issue. High temperatures create ideal breeding grounds for bacteria inside industrial air-conditioning systems, which add water to the surrounding air, Evans noted.

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"Record-breaking temperatures lead to accelerating the risk of the bacteria basically cooking, getting out to become vaporized, and then producing exposure to other people," he said.

Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, cannot be spread between people, nor is it contracted by drinking tap water, the expert noted. Most healthy individuals are not sickened by exposure, but high-risk populations can face severe health consequences.

Preliminary PCR testing quickly confirmed bacterial DNA, but because it cannot distinguish between live and dead bacteria, officials mandated immediate cleanings while awaiting culture test results. (iStock)

"In terms of people ... to be concerned about, it's really older adults — typically 65 and older — or people living with comorbid conditions," Evans said, pointing to underlying factors like diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or compromised immune systems.

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Health officials urge anyone who has lived in, worked in or visited ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 since late August to monitor their health.

Key symptoms to watch for include high fevers, severe shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up bloody mucus.

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Evans noted that early medical care is crucial, as the illness responds well to standard antibiotic treatments when caught early.

"Infections fall into different buckets — bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites," he said. "Bacteria are alive. Antibiotics are effective against bacteria because you can kill them, which makes it very treatable."

Legionnaires' disease is a non-contagious form of pneumonia spread through inhaled vapor — not drinking water — that poses the highest risk to adults over 65 and individuals with underlying conditions like diabetes or COPD. (iStock)

While city officials have taken quick action to inspect and clean the structures, Evans emphasized that long-term prevention requires sustained public investment.

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"Could we test all cooling towers across New York City on a regular basis during times of risk when it's hotter? Yes," Evans said.

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"City health officials do an amazing job, but it costs money. When federal funds are removed from public health, it's very hard to do more when you have less."

Fox News Digital reached out to Yankee Stadium and Lincoln Hospital requesting comment.

Khloe Quill is a lifestyle writer with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health.