# Bronx residents press officials on Legionnaires' outbreak

> A South Bronx outbreak has residents questioning cooling tower checks, city inspections, and how fast officials can stop exposure.
- Title: Bronx residents press officials on Legionnaires' outbreak
- Summary: A South Bronx outbreak has residents questioning cooling tower checks, city inspections, and how fast officials can stop exposure. Residents should seek care…
- Keywords: bronx, south bronx, legionnaires' disease, legionella, cooling towers, nyc health department, alister martin, vanessa gibson, yankee stadium, lincoln hospital, town hall meeting, building inspections
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/post/bronx-legionnaires-disease-cluster-residents-press-nyc-officials-outbreak-during-town-hall-discussion/19837594
- Published: 2026-09-16T03:33:30+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: bronx, south bronx, legionnaires' disease, legionella, cooling towers, nyc health department, alister martin, vanessa gibson, yankee stadium, lincoln hospital, town hall meeting, building inspections
## Residents demand answers
At a Tuesday night town hall, Bronx residents pressed city health officials about a Legionnaires' disease outbreak affecting two South Bronx ZIP codes.
## Testing worries rise
Debra Myers, who lives in an affected area and is at higher risk, questioned whether building owners are meeting cooling tower testing rules.

> We don't know if they're testing these buildings or not.
## Ten sites inspected
Officials are inspecting 10 addresses that tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Yankee Stadium and Lincoln Hospital were among the named locations.
## All sites disinfected
Health Commissioner Alister Martin said the city has disinfected the positive sites and is moving fast to remove the source of exposure.

> move quickly, move aggressively
## Inspection rules questioned
New York City requires cooling tower maintenance, but city inspections happen annually. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said that schedule may need to change.

> I think we have to revisit this conversation
## Symptoms need care
The outbreak has revived memories of a deadly 2015 South Bronx cluster. Officials say anyone with flu-like symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
## Key takeaway

Residents should seek care right away for flu-like symptoms while the city traces and disinfects Legionella-positive cooling towers.