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2 Legionnaires’ disease cases appear at a Queens housing complex. Here’s what we know.
By
Joe Hong
Published Oct 5, 2026
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Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons
By
Joe Hong
Published Oct 5, 2026
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Two residents of the North Shore Towers in the Glen Oaks neighborhood of Queens were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, prompting an investigation by New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Chantal Gomez, a department spokesperson, said the agency began distributing letters to residents on Friday evening about the cases. The notices advise those who smoke, have chronic respiratory issues or are over the age of 50 to avoid taking showers in their apartments to reduce the risk of inhaling mist.
The North Shore Tower cases follow two deadly outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease this summer on the Upper East Side that killed 11 and another in the South Bronx that killed two people. Unlike the two new isolated infections in Queens, the neighborhood-wide outbreaks in Manhattan and the Bronx were linked to rooftop cooling towers that spread bacteria around the neighborhood as they blew out water vapor, according to health officials.
A small number of Legionnaires’ cases each year are caused by plumbing systems and spread through showerheads and faucets. Bacteria can grow to dangerous levels if the water in a building’s plumbing system remains warm or stagnant.
Gomez said inspectors have not yet confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the building’s plumbing.
The health department urged residents to seek medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, muscle aches or cough.
If inhaled, water vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria can lead to Legionnaires’ disease. Health officials emphasized that it is safe to drink water in the building and that the disease does not spread between people.
The letter from the health department states that most people are unlikely to get sick. Gomez also said that there is “no risk to the surrounding community.”
The number of Legionnaires’ disease cases has increased by tenfold in the U.S. over the past 20 years, according to some estimates. New York City had double the number of cases in 2025 compared to the previous year.
The rising case numbers and the persistent frequency of outbreaks has fueled a debate about the city’s drinking water, with some water management experts seeking more comprehensive, but expensive, solutions like filtering all of the city’s tap water.
Tagged
Health and Science
Legionnaires disease
new york city
queens
Joe Hong
Joe Hong is the investigative data reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. He previously covered K-12 education for several newsrooms across California. His reporting has led to local reforms in juvenile justice system as well as a state law requiring universal screening for dyslexia. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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