The city\u2019s Health Department has confirmed live Legionella bacteria in seven cooling towers in the South Bronx, as officials continue to investigate a cluster of Legionnaires\u2019 disease.<\/p>\n
The seven towers were among 10 that initially tested positive for Legionella through PCR testing. All 10 towers have been cleaned and disinfected following the initial results, the DOH said.<\/p>\n
The seven cooling towers confirmed to have contained live Legionella are located at:<\/p>\n
567 Melrose Ave.
\n3339 Park Ave.
\n820 Concourse Village West
\n470 E. 161st St.
\n890 Washington Ave.
\n1160 Teller Ave.
\n1265 Franklin Ave.<\/p>\n
The Health Department said it is awaiting culture results for three cooling towers that tested positive in a PCR test, including two located at Yankee Stadium and NYC Health + Hospitals\/Lincoln<\/a>. The third is located at 1085 Washington Ave.<\/p>\n The initial PCR tests were able to detect Legionella DNA but cannot determine if the bacteria is alive or dead, according to the Health Department. Only live Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires\u2019 disease.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are moving decisively and deliberately to protect New Yorkers from this Legionnaires\u2019 disease cluster in the South Bronx. We\u2019ve taken an aggressive response, and every cooling towers with a positive culture test so far was cleaned and disinfected more than a week ago,\u201d NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said in a statement.<\/p>\n He added that community health workers have been conducting outreach efforts to inform residents of the ongoing testing and the risks of the disease.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will continue to move with urgency and keep New Yorkers informed as this investigation unfolds,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n As of Wednesday, 23 people have tested positive for Legionnaires\u2019 disease in connection with the South Bronx cluster, according to the DOH. Three people remain hospitalized, 15 have been discharged, three did not require hospitalization and two people have died<\/a>.<\/p>\n Health officials are advising anyone who lives in, works in or has recently visited ZIP codes 10451, 10455, 10456 or 10459 to seek medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Symptoms can develop up to 14 days after exposure.<\/p>\n