A cooling tower at Yankee Stadium in the South Bronx tested positive for Legionella bacteria, according to New York City health officials on Sunday. The finding comes amid an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease that has resulted in one death and nine reported infections concentrated in the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods.

The city’s Health Department has mandated cleaning and disinfection of 10 cooling towers in the affected area, including the one at Yankee Stadium. Tests conducted last Thursday confirmed the presence of Legionella but did not determine whether the bacteria detected were viable or if any of the towers were directly responsible for the infections. Officials noted that only live bacteria can cause illness.

Three of those infected were hospitalized as of Sunday. Health authorities are urging residents of the affected ZIP codes, 10451 and 10456, to seek medical attention promptly if they experience symptoms typical of Legionnaires’ disease, such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Most cases respond well to antibiotic treatment.

Yankee Stadium recently hosted a three-game series between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, city officials stated that visitors to the stadium are not considered at higher risk than others who have been in the broader outbreak area.

Legionnaires’ disease is primarily contracted through inhalation of water droplets containing the bacteria, which can be released into the air from cooling towers. The Health Department emphasized that using air-conditioners, showering, and drinking tap water in the affected neighborhoods remain safe practices.

Individuals at greater risk for severe illness include those aged 50 and older, smokers or vapers, and people with chronic lung conditions. The current outbreak follows a severe episode on Manhattan’s Upper East Side over the summer that resulted in 11 deaths and more than 90 infections before it was declared over at the end of July.

The city continues to monitor the situation closely while working to control the spread through mandated cleaning protocols and public advisories.