Guggenheim Museum among Upper East Side buildings ordered to disinfect cooling towers after Legionella detection

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City tested positive for Legionella bacteria, prompting city officials to require the museum, along with 30 other Upper East Side buildings, to clean and disinfect their cooling towers. The museum is among 19 sites that have already completed disinfection, with the remaining locations expected to finish by Saturday.

The New York City Health Department warned that anyone who has been in the affected area since late June and develops flu-like symptoms should seek medical attention. More than 50 cases of Legionnaires' disease have been linked to the Upper East Side outbreak, with fewer than 20 patients still hospitalized.

"The city has confirmed that there is no additional action needed at this time, and this poses no risk to anyone inside the building," the museum said in a statement.

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila, a bacterium that can thrive in water systems such as cooling towers. While cooling towers can emit mist containing the bacteria, they do not affect drinking water or indoor air conditioning. The source of the current outbreak remains under investigation, and the health department continues testing all cooling towers in the area.