Legionnaires' Cases Investigated at North Shore Towers
Health officials are evaluating the water system at the Queens apartment complex after two residents contracted the infection.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Asthma
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has launched an inspection of the internal hot water system at North Shore Towers in Queens. This action follows the diagnosis of two residents with Legionnaires' disease at the complex.
Why it matters
The city health department routinely conducts building evaluations when two or more cases of the disease occur within a single facility over a 12-month period to protect residents. Officials confirmed that the infection does not spread person-to-person and poses no risk to the surrounding Floral Park community.
Health officials have identified two residents with Legionnaires' disease within the 12-month investigative window. Residents with risk factors, including those over 50, are advised to take warm baths instead of showers to minimize exposure to water mist.
The players
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
This agency is responsible for monitoring public health, conducting disease investigations, and managing sanitation and safety standards across all five boroughs.
North Shore Towers
This large apartment complex is located in Queens near the border of Nassau County.
The details
Legionnaires' disease is contracted by breathing in droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria, which may be present in complex internal hot water systems. While the investigation at North Shore Towers is underway, authorities have emphasized that the disease is not transmissible between individuals.
Timeline
October 2026: Health department investigators began evaluating the apartment complex.
Summer 2026: Legionnaires' disease outbreaks were previously reported in the South Bronx and Upper East Side.
12-month period: The timeframe in which two or more cases trigger a mandatory building evaluation.
Health Landscape
This investigation follows a pattern set by the 2026 South Bronx and Upper East Side Legionnaires' disease outbreaks. City officials maintain rigorous protocols to contain the bacteria before it affects broader populations.
Residents at the complex, particularly those over 50, should follow current health guidance by avoiding showers in favor of warm baths to reduce inhalation risks. There are no restrictions currently placed on the wider public in the Floral Park area.
The takeaway
Legionnaires' disease is a serious condition caused by inhaling contaminated water mist rather than contact with other infected people. Understanding these transmission methods and following local health department guidance is essential for residents living in buildings under investigation.
Further reading
For more information on respiratory health and safety, visit the New York City Asthma section.
