Tens of thousands of individuals may have been exposed to Legionnaires' disease at prominent New York City institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum, none of which alerted visitors to potential risks. Cooling towers at these locations, along with a Marriott Hotel and All Souls Church, tested positive for Legionella bacteria.
The Upper East Side outbreak has resulted in five deaths and 87 reported illnesses since July 2, with 77 cooling towers confirmed to have the bacteria, according to the city Department of Health.
Despite positive tests at several major attractions, including The Met and the Guggenheim, no signage or website warnings were posted to inform visitors about potential exposure. A Guggenheim gift shop employee stated that staff were notified of the outbreak on July 8 but were instructed not to inform customers. Information about facilities testing positive for the bacteria is only available by searching the Department of Health website.
Experts emphasize that prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical, as Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, can be fatal in about 10% of diagnosed cases. Dr. Natalie Exum, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, highlighted that the first 24 hours after potential contagion are crucial for avoiding severe illness or death, stressing the importance of early detection to prevent intensive care unit admission.
Visitors expressed dismay upon learning about the lack of public notification. One Upper East Side resident noted the absence of signs, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic and questioning why public awareness is not prioritized. A tourist from Louisiana also reported seeing no warnings or even advisories.
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola criticized the institutions for withholding information about a potentially deadly disease, accusing them of prioritizing revenue over public safety. She stated that these facilities were willing to endanger visitors for financial gain, contrasting their actions with their public pronouncements on social issues.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art maintained that it undertook all necessary remediation actions once its water systems tested positive, asserting that the safety of its visitors and staff is paramount. A spokesperson for the Guggenheim stated that the museum is safe and took all necessary precautions, with the Department of Environmental Protection confirming no risk to customers from drinking water, bathrooms, or air conditioning. The spokesperson added that the city confirmed immediate remediation was sufficient and no further action was needed.
In contrast, some smaller businesses did take steps to notify customers. Butterfield Market on E85th Street displayed signs alerting customers to potential exposure. Its Chief Operating Officer, Christopher Deluna, confirmed the business learned of the exposure on July 7 and had its cooling tower cleaned the next day.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin has introduced legislation aimed at requiring the city to proactively identify and clean cooling towers that have not been tested for Legionella. Menin also pledged to hold a hearing in September to review the administration's response to the outbreak and address the lack of real-time updates on infected areas.
The President of the All Souls Board of Trustees, Dixie Goss, noted that the organization was on the city's remediation list because it took early action to protect its tenants, members, and visitors.