New York City’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum was identified as one of 31 buildings on the Upper East Side that recently tested positive for the bacteria responsible for legionnaires’ disease, according to the city health department’s announcement on Friday, July 11, 2026. The department ordered these buildings to clean and disinfect their cooling towers as part of efforts to contain the latest outbreak of this serious form of pneumonia.

The Guggenheim, a distinctive cylindrical art museum designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, was among 19 buildings that have already completed remediation, the health department’s list shows. City officials emphasized that the positive test results do not confirm any building as the source of the outbreak because the tests cannot differentiate between live and dead bacteria.

The museum itself was never closed during the testing or remediation process. In a statement released on Saturday, the Guggenheim said, “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 also noted that it employs an outside company to conduct regular monthly testing and treatment of its cooling tower.

The current Upper East Side cluster has resulted in more than 50 diagnosed cases of legionnaires’ disease, with fewer than 20 patients still hospitalized, according to the latest data from the city health department. This follows a major outbreak last year in Harlem, upper Manhattan, where seven people died and over 100 were sickened. That outbreak was traced to cooling towers atop Harlem Hospital and a nearby construction site housing the city’s public health laboratory.

Legionnaires’ disease symptoms typically develop between two days and two weeks after exposure and include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Individuals at increased risk include those aged 50 or older, smokers or vapers, and people with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems.

The disease’s name originates from a 1976 outbreak affecting attendees of an American Legion convention in Philadelphia.

Why This Matters

The identification of the Guggenheim Museum among buildings testing positive for legionella bacteria highlights the ongoing public health challenge of controlling legionnaires’ disease in urban environments. The city’s proactive measures to disinfect cooling towers aim to prevent further spread, especially in densely populated areas like the Upper East Side. Visitors and residents are reassured by the museum’s statement and the health department’s oversight, but vigilance remains crucial given the serious nature of the disease.

What to Watch

Health officials will continue monitoring the outbreak and the effectiveness of remediation efforts across the affected buildings. Updates on new cases, hospitalizations, and any further public health directives will be critical to controlling the spread of legionnaires’ disease in New York City.

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