The 23rd precinct in Manhattan where the bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease was found. Daniel William McKnight
The bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease has been detected at a Manhattan NYPD stationhouse and at least one officer has been hospitalized, The Post has learned.
The cop, who had underlying medical issues, became ill a couple of weeks ago, according to a source.
After the officer was hospitalized, the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association commissioned an independent study of the 23rd Precinct’s East 102nd Street stationhouse. Nineteen of 20 samples tested positive for Legionella.
The city Health Department said it was notified Friday night of the Legionnaires, and immediately launched an investigation. By Saturday, city health officials were sampling the water at the precinct.
Prisoners are no longer being brought to the 23rd Precinct because of the Legionnaires discovery, but the building remains open.
“It’s still open but nobody’s drinking the water, nobody’s showering,” said the source. “They’re bringing in fresh water.”
The precinct has a new cooling tower but it hasn’t been turned on, so the city doesn’t think the new tower is the source of the infection.
“Legionnaire’s disease is not contagious, officers can still work in the building … . There is no public health risk to the larger community,” the city said in a statement.
Legionnaires symptoms include fever, cough, headache, and difficulty breathing. A dozen people died in a 2015 outbreak in the Bronx.