Legionnaires’ Disease Cases Prompt Investigation in Queens

Two residents at North Shore Towers, located in the Glen Oaks area of Queens, have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, leading to an investigation by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

A spokesperson for the department, Chantal Gomez, mentioned that residents received letters about the cases starting Friday evening. These letters suggest that individuals who smoke, have chronic respiratory conditions, or are over 50 years old should avoid taking showers in their apartments to lower the risk of inhaling potentially contaminated mist.

The recent diagnoses in North Shore Towers come on the heels of two significant outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease that occurred this summer on the Upper East Side, which resulted in 11 fatalities, and another outbreak in the South Bronx that killed two. In contrast to these broader incidents, which were associated with rooftop cooling towers that dispelled bacteria into the air, the infections in Queens appear to be isolated.

Health records indicate that a small percentage of Legionnaires’ cases each year are linked to plumbing systems. These can occur when bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water found in building plumbing, spreading through showerheads and faucets.

Currently, inspectors have not confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the plumbing of the affected building, according to Gomez.

The health department has also recommended that residents seek medical help if they experience any flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, muscle aches, or cough. Inhalation of mist contaminated with Legionella can indeed lead to Legionnaires’ disease, but health officials reassured that drinking water in the building is safe and that the disease is not transmitted between individuals.

The health department’s letter indicated that most residents are unlikely to fall ill, and Gomez further stated that there is “no risk to the surrounding community.”

Interestingly, estimates suggest that the number of Legionnaires’ disease cases in the U.S. has surged tenfold over the past two decades, with New York City reporting double the number of cases in 2025 compared to the previous year.

This increase in cases and the recurring outbreaks has stirred a discussion about the quality of the city’s drinking water. Some water management experts are advocating for more comprehensive—albeit costly—solutions, such as filtering all of the tap water throughout the city.