Guggenheim among 31 NYC buildings testing positive for Legionella bacteria

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is among 31 Manhattan buildings where cooling towers have preliminarily tested positive for Legionella bacteria, according to the New York City Department of Health. As of mid-July 2026, the city is managing an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease centered in the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville neighborhoods of the Upper East Side.

Ongoing Investigation into Upper East Side Cluster

The city health department identified the cluster on July 2, 2026. Since then, officials have sampled 183 cooling towers within the affected ZIP codes of 10028, 10128, and 10075. The investigation expanded on July 5, 2026, to include ZIP code 10075 following reports of additional cases. As of the most recent reporting, 46 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, with 22 of those individuals remaining hospitalized. No deaths have been reported in connection with this cluster.

Health officials utilize a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for initial screenings. While this process is rapid, the city and independent experts caution that it cannot distinguish between live bacteria and inactive, dead samples. Only live Legionella, which thrives in warm water systems like cooling towers, can cause the serious form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease. Consequently, officials are conducting culture testing on all sampled towers to confirm the presence of live bacteria. These confirmatory results can take approximately two weeks to process.

Guggenheim Museum and Remediation Efforts

The Guggenheim Museum, located at 1071 Fifth Ave., confirmed that its cooling tower was among those identified. According to the city’s list, the museum is one of 19 properties that had already completed the required draining, cleaning, and disinfection of their systems as of Friday, July 10, 2026. The remaining 12 identified buildings were under orders to finalize similar remediation by Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The museum stated that it employs an outside company to conduct regular monthly testing and maintenance of its cooling infrastructure. In a statement, a museum spokesperson noted:

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

Officials emphasized that the buildings identified on the preliminary list are not confirmed as the source of the outbreak. The investigation is focused on identifying the specific location harboring the live bacteria responsible for the illnesses.

Public Health Guidance

Legionnaires’ disease is not transmitted person-to-person; it is contracted by inhaling tiny droplets of contaminated water mist released into the air. New York City officials have characterized the decision to publish the list of affected addresses as an aggressive and transparent measure to address the outbreak. City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin described the response during a briefing, stating:

"It’s important for us to not wait two weeks. That’s why you see us acting fast at this point."

Despite the findings, the city maintains that it remains safe for residents and visitors to drink tap water, shower, and use home air conditioning. The current investigation does not implicate indoor plumbing or indoor air systems. The public has been advised that anyone who lives, works, or has visited the area since late June and develops symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, or shortness of breath should contact a healthcare provider immediately. Individuals at higher risk include those age 50 or older, those with weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease, or those who smoke or vape.

The investigation into the source of the contamination remains active, with officials warning that the list of buildings may grow as further testing proceeds.