One Dead, Five Sick in South Bronx Legionnaires Cluster

One person has died and five others have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in a cluster under investigation in the South Bronx, marking the second major outbreak of the illness in New York City this summer. The New York City Health Department confirmed the cases are centered in the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods, within ZIP codes 10451 and 10456. Health officials said the investigation was formally opened on September 10, 2026. Environmental health teams have completed water sampling from cooling towers in the affected area, sending the samples to the Public Health Laboratory for testing. Cooling towers are considered the primary environmental vector for spreading aerosolized Legionella bacteria. "Our disease investigators have confirmed five cases of Legionnaires' disease and are working quickly to identify and confirm any additional cases in the area," said Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. He added that New Yorkers may have heightened concerns following a recent cluster on the Upper East Side, but officials are taking immediate action. The South Bronx cluster is the second significant community outbreak in the city this season.