New York City's iconic Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is among 31 buildings on the Upper East Side of Manhattan that recently tested positive for the bacteria causing legionnaires’ disease, according to the city health department. The department released the list on Friday, July 11th, 2026, ordering 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 Museum, known for its distinctive cylindrical design by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, was one of 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 of the buildings as the source of the outbreak, noting that the tests cannot distinguish between live and dead bacteria.

The museum itself was never closed due to the positive test or remediation work. In a statement 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 statement also noted that the museum employs an outside company to conduct regular monthly testing and treatment of its cooling tower.

The current outbreak has been linked to more than 50 diagnosed cases of legionnaires’ disease connected to the Upper East Side cluster, with fewer than 20 patients remaining hospitalized as per the latest data from the city health department. This follows a major outbreak last year in Harlem, an upper Manhattan neighborhood, 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 two days to 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 diseases or weakened immune systems.

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

Why It Matters

The identification of legionella bacteria in prominent buildings like the Guggenheim highlights ongoing public health challenges in urban environments, particularly related to cooling tower maintenance. Continued vigilance and remediation efforts are critical to preventing further cases and safeguarding public health in New York City.

What to Watch

Authorities will continue monitoring the outbreak and enforcing cleaning protocols for affected buildings. Updates on new cases and remediation progress will be key indicators of the outbreak’s trajectory.

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