ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 Crunch Fitness in Ocoee has released Florida Department of Health test results to Channel 9, showing no signs of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires\u2019 Disease in the gym.<\/p>\n
The update comes as health officials continue investigating how at least 14 people in Orange County contracted the illness.<\/p>\n
Channel 9 first broke the story of a possible Legionnaires\u2019 outbreak last Wednesday. <\/p>\n
According to an email sent by a state health official to State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, all 14 confirmed cases are linked to gym exposure.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, we learned the state alerted Orange County health providers about the increase in cases and advised them of how the disease is contracted.<\/p>\n
The new results from Crunch Fitness raise further questions about where people may be contracting the disease.<\/p>\n
Crunch Fitness told Channel 9 last week that parts of the facility were temporarily closed for testing. Health officials took 20 samples from locations where Legionella bacteria are typically found, including the spa system, showers, hot water heaters, water fountains, sinks, and the building\u2019s exterior water main.<\/p>\n
All samples came back with \u201cno growth of Legionella pneumophila,\u201d according to results Crunch Fitness shared. <\/p>\n
However, the records do not indicate whether the facility\u2019s air-conditioning cooling tower was tested, which we\u2019re told by doctors can be a potential source that harbors the bacteria.<\/p>\n
So far, the Florida Department of Health has not said whether other facilities are under investigation. Florida DOH spokesperson Kent Donahue said in an email to 9 Investigates that information collected during epidemiological investigations is confidential under state law. The law cited says information will only be released \u201cwhen necessary to public health.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Department did confirm it has conducted \u201can environmental assessment at a facility\u201d and said that \u201cas potential sources are investigated, locations are being disinfected and will continue to be monitored.\u201d<\/p>\n
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