76 UES Buildings Test Positive For Legionella: See New List
Patch • • health
Key Points:
- Officials have added 45 new buildings, including private schools like Spence and Dalton and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to the list of cooling towers requiring disinfection amid a Legionnaires' disease outbreak.
- Out of 76 total cooling towers identified, 57 have been disinfected, with the remaining 19 scheduled for remediation by Thursday, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
- PCR tests detect the presence of Legionella bacteria DNA but do not confirm active infection; a second culture test, which takes up to two weeks, is needed to pinpoint the outbreak source.
- Since July 2, 60 people on the Upper East Side have contracted Legionnaires' disease, with 15 hospitalized; new cases are decreasing, with only one new case reported recently.
- Officials emphasize that Legionnaires' disease spreads through inhaling contaminated mist from cooling towers, but drinking tap water, showering, and using air conditioners remain safe; residents with flu-like symptoms should seek medical advice promptly.
