From ABC7 New York · · 1m 30s
Legionnaires' cluster grows in the South Bronx
Nine sick, one dead, and ten cooling towers including Yankee Stadium's ordered scrubbed by Monday.
In brief
Nine sick, one dead, and ten cooling towers including Yankee Stadium's ordered scrubbed by Monday. If you have been in Melrose or Morrisania since late August and develop a fever, chills, cough or shortness of breath, get checked now. Originally reported by ABC7 New York.
The cluster is growing
Nine people in Melrose and Morrisania have now been diagnosed, up from five earlier in the week. One has died, three are still hospitalized, four were discharged.
Ten towers ordered cleaned
The city told ten cooling towers to drain, clean and disinfect by Monday, including the one at 1 E. 161st St., the address of Yankee Stadium.
The tests are not proof yet
Preliminary PCR found Legionella at those sites, but it cannot say whether the bacteria were alive or which tower, if any, caused the outbreak.
“the results do not confirm whether the bacteria were alive”
Answers take two weeks
Investigators tested 24 towers after opening the case on Sept. 10. Culture testing that could actually pin down the source is still running.
Tap water is fine
Officials say there is no extra risk inside any of the buildings, and residents can drink tap water, shower and run air conditioners as normal.
Watch for these symptoms
Anyone who lives, works or visited since late August should see a doctor for fever, chills, cough, muscle aches or shortness of breath. Town halls are set for Sunday and Tuesday.
In short
If you have been in Melrose or Morrisania since late August and develop a fever, chills, cough or shortness of breath, get checked now.
