Experts say Florida Crunch Fitness may be the cause of a Legionnaires 'outbreak'

Health authorities in Florida are probing a Legionnaires disease outbreak after at least 14 confirmed cases were traced back to a gym in central Florida. The Florida Department of Health verified the outbreak but did not disclose the gyms name.

Earlier reports from WFTV 9 indicated that some members of a Crunch Fitness in Ocoee, located just west of Orlando, were affected by the disease.

At least one woman who attended the gym required hospitalization due to Legionnaires disease, according to ClickOrlando, which cited a law firm suggesting the outbreak could have involved up to 28 potential exposures.

Legionnaires disease is a severe pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, commonly found in water and air conditioning systems. While it can be fatal, cases are often mild.

The Orange County Health Department emphasized that the illness is not spread from person to person, but can occur through contaminated water particles.

Gym member Carla Jones told ClickOrlando, People come here to exercise and be healthy, not to risk getting sick. She added that information about the outbreak was only available on a notice board within the facility.

Crunch Fitness stated it is cooperating with health officials and has closed sections of the gym to test water in its pool and spa systems.

The facility, formerly an LA Fitness, had three Legionnaires cases reported in 2017. Crunch Fitness spent over $5 million upgrading the gyms HVAC and aquatic systems before reopening in 2024.

The health department has not provided additional comments, and the gym remains open for members, though some, like Jones, have chosen not to return until the situation is resolved.

Author: Sophia Brooks