
At least 14 cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported in central Florida.
In an email to state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the Florida Department of Health revealed the outbreak is linked to a gym, reported ABC News affiliate WFTV.
The letter from the department did not list the name of the gym, but WFTV reported that a Crunch Fitness in Ocoee -- 12 miles west of Orlando -- had members reporting cases of Legionnaires' disease.
3 dead and at least 67 sick from growing Legionnaires' disease cluster in New York City
Crunch Fitness told the station it is working with the health department, has closed off parts of the gym and is testing its pool and spa systems "out of an abundance of caution."
Neither the Florida Department of Health nor Crunch Fitness immediately returned ABC News' request for comment.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling the Legionella bacteria in small droplets of water mixed in the air or contaminated water accidentally going into your lungs.
Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater but typically grow best in warm water and in warm to hot temperatures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The disease does not spread from person to person, but outbreaks can grow if the bacteria get into a building's water supply, including in shower heads, sink faucets, hot water tanks, heaters and other plumbing systems.
Mysterious outbreak in Argentina solved: Legionnaires' disease behind illness that sickened 11
Legionnaires has increased in prevalence over the last decade, reaching a peak of 2.71 cases per 100,000 in 2018, the CDC said. Cases dropped during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and then rebounded in 2021.
Although most people recover from Legionnaires' disease with antibiotics, certain patients -- including those who are immunocompromised or who suffer from chronic lung diseases -- can develop complications that can be fatal.
About one out of every 10 people who develops Legionnaires' disease will die due to complications, according to the CDC. Among those who develop Legionnaires' disease during a stay in a health care facility, about one out of every four people will die, the federal health agency added.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Exemplary Fragrances: A Manual for Notorious Scents - 2
The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks tonight, but will the full 'Wolf Moon' outshine the show? - 3
Vote in favor of your #1 Sort of Convenience for a Family - 4
Luigi Mangione‘s lawyers say Bondi’s death penalty decision was tainted by conflict of interest - 5
Nitty gritty Manual for Picking Agreeable Tennis shoes
Administrative building in Sharjah region targeted by Iranian drone, UAE authorities announce
How many ships have been attacked in the Gulf since start of Iran war?
Agios Pharma shares jump as US FDA expands approval for its blood disorder drug
Opening Monetary Information: Your Exhaustive Manual for Finding out about Individual budget
Global measles cases drop 71% in 24 years as vaccination coverage improves, WHO says
Report: Russian military pressuring students to work as drone pilots
Blue Origin's next space tourism flight will break new ground for people with disabilities
Instructions to Pick the Right Dental Embed Trained professional: An Exhaustive Aide
Find the Specialty of Public Speaking: Drawing in and Convincing Crowds with Certainty













