
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
She loves to give experiences. He goes for sentimental gifts. They ask an expert: What is the perfect holiday present? - 2
Consume Fat Quick: 10 Demonstrated Activities for Ideal Outcomes - 3
Child influencers helped power a booming industry. It's time for a reckoning. - 4
Your guide to how to safely thaw and cook your Thanksgiving turkey this year, according to experts - 5
Step by step instructions to Figure out the Natural Effect of 5G Pinnacles
Figure out How to Adjust Your Handshake to Various Societies
Pilot captures jaw-dropping northern lights show from 36,000 feet (photos)
Employers and staff feel effect of fuel price rise
Culinary Joys: Investigating Connoisseur Cooking at Home
One perk to marrying Richard Marx later in life? 'We don't have time' for stupid arguments, says Daisy Fuentes.
Pick Your Favored kind of books
Vote in favor of your #1 Kind of Cap
Turning into a Distributed Writer: My Composing Process
Mexico says a third of 130,000 missing people might be alive, fueling criticism from families













