NEW YORK (PIX11) — One person in the Bronx has died of Legionnaires’ disease. Five other people have also been diagnosed with the disease, New York City Department of Health officials announced Thursday evening.
The New York City Health Department is investigating a likely community cluster in the South Bronx neighborhoods of Melrose and Morrisania, officials said.
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Officials are also investigating ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
“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 all 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.”
To date, 12 people have died from Legionnaires’ disease in Manhattan and now in the Bronx.
A type of bacteria called Legionella causes the disease. Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by inhaling mist or water droplets containing the Legionella bacteria, according to the CDC.
At this moment, health officials say they are sampling cooling towers in the area where the latest cases were reported.
Past community clusters, such as the one found on the Upper East Side, have all been linked to Legionella spreading through mist from cooling towers. Building owners with positive tests will be directed to fully remediate the system, including draining, cleaning, and disinfecting.
For more information on the possible Bronx community cluster, click here.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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