Breaking News: Opera House Hotel Ground Zero For NYC’s Largest Legionnaires’ Outbreak In City History

New York City Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett has just announced that The Opera House Hotel was ground zero for New York City’s largest outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease which took the lives of 12 South Bronx residents (although DOH still is not connecting the teacher who died from PS 325 in the impact zone back in April).

25 individuals who were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease have had the bacteria traced back to the strain found at the Opera House Hotel, however, others are still awaiting results.

Commissioner Bassett confidently declared the outbreak has been contained but cautioned that it didn’t mean that more cases would appear. This was evidenced by the number of reported cases having increased to 128 from 126 just a few days ago.

During the press conference, the commissioner also stated that a guest who stayed at The Opera House Hotel fell ill with Legionnaires’.

Still many questions haven’t been answered as to why so many cooling towers were contaminated in a single area.

More to come as this story develops.

Ed García Conde

Ed García Conde is a life-long Bronxite who spends his time documenting the people, places, and things that make the borough a special place in the hopes of dispelling the negative stereotypes associated with The Bronx. His writings are often cited by mainstream media and is often consulted for his expertise on the borough's rich history.