The Upper East Side is currently grappling with a Legionella outbreak, and the iconic Guggenheim Museum is among the affected sites. This outbreak has raised concerns about the safety of cooling towers in the area, with 31 buildings testing positive for the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease. The city health department has been proactive in addressing the issue, with the Guggenheim and 18 other property owners already completing the cleaning and disinfection process for their water-cooling towers. However, the city health commissioner, Dr. Alister Martin, emphasizes that more testing and remediation are necessary to pinpoint the exact source of the outbreak. The city has tested 183 cooling towers, with 46 people testing positive for Legionnaires' disease and 22 hospitalized. The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease can take up to two weeks to appear, and the city is urging anyone living in the affected area to visit their doctor if they experience symptoms. The city council has also criticized the health department's approach, suggesting proactive cleaning of cooling towers in the affected area. The list of sites where cooling towers tested positive includes several buildings on the Upper East Side, with some still awaiting cleaning and disinfection. The ongoing investigation aims to identify the source of the outbreak and ensure the safety of the community.
