
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
Birds at a college changed beak shapes during the pandemic. It might be a case of rapid evolution - 2
AstraZeneca to acquire Modella AI to speed oncology drug research - 3
Exclusive-Drugmakers raise US prices on 350 medicines despite pressure from Trump - 4
Embracing Practical Living and Ecological Protection - 5
Kobe Bryant called this WNBA star the 'Gold Mamba.' She turned his advice to her into a tattoo.
Novo Nordisk cuts Wegovy price as CEO pledges to go 'all in' on weight loss pill
Germany and trade unions kick off tough public-sector wage talks
10 Natural products to Remember for Your Eating routine for a Better You
Why Tourists May Want To Reconsider Traveling To This Popular Spot In Italy In 2026
Exploring the Main Year of Life as a parent: Individual Encounters
Watch Rocket Lab launch Japanese technology-demonstrating satellite to orbit tonight
The Golden Globes is happening Sunday: Who's nominated, who's hosting and how to watch
SpaceX's 1st 'Version 3' Super Heavy Starship booster buckles under pressure during initial tests
Watch SpaceX launch NASA's Pandora exoplanet-studying satellite on Jan. 11













