New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin has formally requested that the city's Health Commissioner order building owners to disinfect cooling towers in Carnegie Hill and Yorkville, areas affected by a growing Legionnaires' disease outbreak. The demand comes as health officials continue to investigate the source of the dangerous bacterial infection that has sickened at least 28 residents, with 21 hospitalized.
In a letter sent to Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin on Wednesday, Menin urged an "emergency clean-up edict" for cooling towers, particularly those near the outbreak's epicenter, unless the Department of Health has confirmed the absence of Legionella bacteria. Menin expressed concern that the department had not yet mandated proactive disinfection for all towers in the investigation zone.
Menin joined Commissioner Martin at a town hall Tuesday to address residents' concerns about the escalating outbreak. She highlighted the high population density and the significant number of elderly residents in the affected zip codes, who are particularly vulnerable to Legionnaires' disease.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrive in warm water. Transmission occurs when people inhale contaminated water mist or vapor. While not contagious person-to-person, the disease can lead to serious, even fatal, complications if left untreated. The bacteria do not spread through air conditioning systems.
The health department stated that inspectors have been actively identifying cooling towers testing positive for Legionella since July 2 and have been ordering disinfections for those buildings. A department spokesperson indicated that the cluster was identified early and prompt communication to New Yorkers was initiated. The speaker's request is currently under review by the department.
This situation echoes a similar Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem last summer, which resulted in 114 confirmed cases and seven deaths.