New York City Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Hits 60 Cases on Upper East Side

New York City health officials report a Legionnaires’ disease cluster on the Upper East Side that has risen to 60 confirmed cases, with 15 patients still in hospital and no deaths. The outbreak is concentrated in three Manhattan ZIP codes – 10028, 10128 and 10075 – and is believed to be linked to bacteria in cooling‑tower systems. Initial testing of 183 towers identified 76 that tested positive for Legionella DNA; 31 of those towers have been ordered to be drained, cleaned and disinfected, and remediation of the remaining sites is due by Thursday. Prominent cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum, were among the buildings with positive tests, though city officials say the results do not prove any one location is the source. Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin said new diagnoses have slowed, with only two new cases reported in the latest sampling period, and urged residents to watch for symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. The department continues culture testing to determine whether live bacteria are present while maintaining that tap water and indoor air‑conditioning remain safe.