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South Bronx Legionnaires’ cluster kills 1, sickens 5, NYC says
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 10, 2026
Modified Sep 10, 2026
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Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 10, 2026
Modified Sep 10, 2026
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The city is investigating a likely cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx that has sickened five people and killed one, health officials said Thursday.
The city health department said four other people were diagnosed with the disease in connection with the cluster in parts of the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods, including ZIP codes 10451 and 10456.
The South Bronx cluster is the second identified in New York City this summer, following an outbreak on Manhattan’s Upper East Side in July.
Eleven people died and 94 were diagnosed in connection with the Upper East Side outbreak, making it the deadliest cluster in the city since a 2015 outbreak in the Bronx killed 17 people. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria and can be contracted by inhaling water vapor that contains the bacteria.
The city has collected samples from cooling towers in the affected South Bronx neighborhoods and is testing them for Legionella bacteria. Officials said building owners will be ordered to clean and disinfect any towers that test positive.
At a press briefing Thursday evening, health officials said the city is awaiting results from other potential cases.
“Right now, our main message is simple,” Health Commissioner Alister Martin said. “Any New Yorker with flu-like symptoms who either lives, works, or has recently visited the affected areas should contact a health care provider as soon as possible.”
Martin said the disease “can be treated effectively with antibiotics when it’s diagnosed early.”
The city health department said it will begin distributing information in multiple languages and holding town halls in the affected area Friday and throughout the weekend.
Health officials are urging people who have lived, worked or visited the affected area since late August to seek medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and can be treated with antibiotics when caught early.
Tagged
Health and Science
new york city
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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