
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
4 Famous Gaming PCs of 2024: Execution, Versatility, and Advancement - 2
19 Peculiar Films You Shouldn't Watch With Your Mum - 3
Nutrient Rich Natural products: Lift Your Wellbeing - 4
Kiev declares energy emergency after Russian attacks amid winter cold - 5
Glen Powell will host 'Saturday Night Live' with Olivia Dean as musical guest: What to know ahead of their debut
Figure out how to Keep up with Your Dental Inserts for Long haul Achievement
Taylor Momsen explains why she quit 'Gossip Girl': 'I really didn't want to be there'
Watch This Glacier Race into the Sea
The most effective method to Execute a Lung-Solid Eating routine After a Cellular breakdown in the lungs Finding
Bird flu poses risk of pandemic worse than COVID, France's Institut Pasteur says
Make your choice for a definitive Christmas getaway destination!
UAE-backed Yemeni Southern Transitional Council denies disbandment rumors
Flourishing in Retirement: Individual Accounts of Post-Profession Satisfaction
Early diagnosis leads King Charles to scale back cancer treatment in the new year












