Health Department Preliminary Test Results Indicate Legionella Bacteria in Co-Op City Cooling Towers
Eight of the 12 recent cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Bronx
have been diagnosed among Co-Op City residents
Health Department instructs River Bay Corporation, which manages Co-Op
City’s cooling towers, to take immediate steps to minimize Legionella risk
The Health Department announced on Tuesday the results of preliminary tests
that show that the cooling towers at Co-Op City are contaminated with
the Legionella bacteria. Since December 2014, 12 cases of Legionnaires’
disease have been diagnosed among Bronx residents. Eight of the 12 recent
cases have been diagnosed among Co-Op City residents.
The Health Department is continuing its investigation to determine if
the cooling towers are the source of these recent cases. Although no determination
has been made that the cooling towers are the cause of any reported case
of Legionnaires Disease, the Health Department instructed River Bay to
take immediate steps to decontaminate the cooling tower in order to minimize
the risk. The infected water is used to cool Co-Op City’s heating
and electrical systems. The water in the cooling tower is self-contained
and is separate from the water used by Co-Op City residents for drinking,
cooking and bathing. The water at Co-Op City is safe to drink, bathe and
cook with.
River Bay Corporation, which operates the cooling towers, has taken immediate
steps to decontaminate the cooling towers. With the guidance of the Health
Department, River Bay began disinfecting the cooling towers with chlorine
on Jan. 10. River Bay has also shut down the cooling tower at Co-Op City
to do physical cleaning, followed by more chlorination to control the
growth of Legionella bacteria. Throughout the disinfection process, River
Bay will continually test for Legionella and report the results back to
the Health Department. Following this initial phase, the Health Department
and River Bay will continue to work together to modify maintenance procedures
to prevent the regrowth of Legionella. There is not expected to be any
disruption to tenants’ heat or hot water service during this process.
“The Health Department is concerned about this sudden increase in
Legionnaires’ disease in the Bronx,” said Health Commissioner
Dr. Mary Bassett. “We are conducting a thorough investigation and
working closely with River Bay Corporation to minimize the public risk
and to prevent future cases. I urge anyone with symptoms to seek medical
attention right away.”
Caused by the bacteria Legionella, symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease
can include fever, chills, and cough. Other symptoms include muscle aches,
headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, confusion and, occasionally, diarrhea.
Chest X-rays usually show pneumonia. Symptoms usually appear two to 10
days after significant exposure to Legionella bacteria. Legionnaire’s
disease cannot be spread from person to person. Most cases of Legionnaires’
disease can be traced to plumbing systems where conditions are favorable
for Legionella growth. Examples of such systems are whirlpool spas, hot
tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks, cooling towers and evaporative condensers
of large air-conditioning systems.
To answer questions and address any concerns that Co-Op City residents
may have, Health Department representatives will attend a meeting at Co-Op
City this evening. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at 177 Dreiser Loop
in Co-Op City.
For more information about Legionnaires’ disease, please visit the
Health Department website .