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Florida Health officials are investigating outbreak Of Legionnaires, Disease After at least 14 confirmed cases linked to Central Florida gymAccording to reports.
The Florida Department of Health confirmed the outbreak, without specifying which gym was involved, according to an email obtained by WFTV 9,
While health officials have not named the gyms, WFTV 9 reported a week ago that some members of Crunch Fitness in Ocoee, a town just west of Orlando, had Legionnaires’ disease.
At least one woman who went to the gym has been hospitalized and diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, Reported by ClickOrlandoCiting Legionnaires’ Lawyers, a law firm says there could be 28 potential risks to this outbreak.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form pneumonia This can sometimes be life-threatening, although at times it is mild. It is caused by Legionella bacteria, which can be found in water systems and air conditioning systems.
According to the Orange County Health Department, the disease does not spread from person-to-person, but can spread through water particles.
“I just think people need to know. People are coming here to exercise to be safe, to be healthy, not to get sick,” gym member Carla Jones told ClickOrlando.
Jones said he inquired about the outbreak and was directed to an information board posted at the facility.
“I think they’ve got an information board,” she said. “I said OK, but why would we read about it? But why wouldn’t it be something you tell people when they come in?”
Crunch said it was working with the health department during its investigation and has closed parts of the gym to test the water in its pools and spa systems.
According to reports, the Crunch Fitness facility was previously LA Fitness, where health officials investigated three Legionnaires’ cases in 2017.
Crunch said it spent more than $5 million renovating the facility, including HVAC and aquatic systems, ahead of its 2024 opening.
The health department declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
In the meantime, the gym remains open for members to visit.
Jones told ClickOrlando that after talking to facility staff he decided to skip the workout.
“We need to be safe in that environment,” he said.
Independent Crunch Fitness has been contacted for comment.