The world-famous Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City is among dozens of Manhattan buildings that have tested positive for the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, as the city grapples with its latest outbreak of the serious respiratory illness.
On Friday, New York City’s health department released a list of 31 buildings on the Upper East Side that have been ordered to clean and disinfect their cooling towers. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, and the outbreak has prompted swift action from city officials.
The iconic cylindrical museum was among 19 buildings that had already completed the required remediation work, according to the health department’s list. The remaining buildings were expected to finish the process by Saturday.
City officials were careful to point out that a positive test result does not mean any of the buildings caused the outbreak. The tests used were unable to differentiate between living and dead bacteria, they explained.
Officials also confirmed the museum never closed its doors due to the positive test or the cleanup work. The Guggenheim released a statement Saturday saying, “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 noted that it employs an outside company to conduct regular monthly testing and treatment of its cooling tower.
Designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guggenheim holds UNESCO World Heritage status and is recognized as one of the defining architectural achievements of the 20th century.
According to the most recent figures from the city health department, more than 50 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease tied to the Upper East Side cluster. Fewer than 20 remain hospitalized, and no fatalities have been reported.
Last year, a major outbreak in the upper Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem left seven people dead and sickened more than 100. That outbreak was ultimately traced to cooling towers on top of Harlem Hospital and a nearby construction site housing the city’s public health laboratory.
Legionella bacteria thrive in warm water and can spread through building water systems including showerheads, hot tubs, and cooling towers. These towers, typically located on rooftops, help regulate the temperature of refrigeration and similar systems — but they do not affect a building’s drinking water supply, indoor air, or air conditioning.
Legionnaires’ disease cannot be passed from one person to another. It is typically contracted by inhaling tiny droplets of water contaminated with the bacteria.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms generally appear between two days and two weeks after exposure and can include coughing, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing.
Those at higher risk for contracting the disease include people aged 50 and older, smokers or those who vape, individuals with chronic lung conditions, and people with weakened immune systems.
The disease got its name from a 1976 outbreak that struck participants at an American Legion convention held in Philadelphia.
