Legionnaires’ outbreak in Melrose and Morrisania now tied to two deaths

Two people have now died in the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the South Bronx, the city Health Department announced Thursday. The count of confirmed illnesses in the cluster stands at 13, and those cases trace back to parts of Melrose and Morrisania.

Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin offered condolences as the second death was made public. “We mourn the loss of each New Yorker, and our hearts are with their loved ones as they navigate this difficult time,” he said. Martin also credited elected officials in the area for joining the department’s outreach, saying the aim is to shut off the exposure quickly while the cases are investigated.

Where the South Bronx cluster has been traced

The 13 confirmed cases are linked to sections of Melrose and Morrisania, among them the 10451 and 10456 ZIP codes. The department has not closed its inquiry. Officials said Thursday that the investigation into the cases is continuing, with the second death the newest development in a cluster that has been under review for weeks.

Cooling towers disinfected as outreach continues

Towers that returned a positive result in the first round of screening have all been disinfected, Martin said.

Outreach has run in parallel with that cleanup. Department employees have been out in the affected neighborhoods every day, and their tally so far includes conversations with more than 1,700 community members, more than 4,000 pamphlets handed out and contact with more than 140 organizations. The point, according to the commissioner, is to make sure people living and working nearby can spot the warning signs early and understand which conditions put them at higher risk.