The Florida Department of Health has taken water samples at two LA Fitness gyms near Orlando, but results will not be back for another two weeks.
Of the four illnesses, two were linked to the LA Fitness in MetroWest at 4792 Kirkman Road, Florida, and two of the illnesses are linked to the LA Fitness in South Orlando at 12700 S. Orange Blossom Trail.
Florida health officials said the showers, hot tubs, and spas will be closed until further notice for disinfection using elevated levels of chlorine. The gyms will also add extra filters on the showers.
In April, three cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported in people who exercised at LA Fitness on Silver Star Road in Ocoee, Florida.
LA Fitness is warning people who exercised at the two gyms to be vigilant for the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease.
News of the outbreaks in Florida follows other outbreaks nationwide. Last week, two guests at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after separate stays in March and April 2017. In New York City, Legionella was found in the water at a police station where an officer recently fell ill.
Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection with Legionella, a bacteria that can grow in a building’s water system. Infections may occur when people breathe in water vapor containing Legionella while using hot tubs, showers, fountains, or pools.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns that Legionella infections can cause pneumonia-like symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, nausea, and headaches up to 10 days after exposure.
Source: 4 LA Fitness gym-goers contract Legionnaires’ disease in Florida