OCOEE, Fla. – A cloud of concern hovers over a local fitness center in Ocoee, as its members come to grips with unsettling news. The Florida Department of Health has launched an investigation into possible health issues linked to the gym.
The focus of this scrutiny is the Crunch Fitness venue situated on Silver Star Road. Alarmingly, close to 30 instances of Legionnaires’ disease are believed to be connected to this facility. This was highlighted by the law firm Legionnaires Lawyers, who described the situation as an “outbreak.”
“People should be informed. They come here to work out, aiming for safety and health, not to encounter something that could make them ill,” commented Carla Jones, a regular at the gym.
Jones expressed her frustration after being pointed towards posted notices when she sought information about the health alerts at the gym.
“There’s apparently an information board,” Jones remarked. “I questioned why something so crucial would be left for people to discover on their own rather than being communicated directly as they enter.”
To provide context, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes Legionnaires’ disease as a severe type of pneumonia, underscoring the seriousness of potential exposure.
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Can be contracted through breathing in water droplets.
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Is not typically transmitted from person to person.
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May present symptoms including cough, fever, and muscle aches.
Legionnaires Lawyers, a law firm specializing in Legionnaires’ disease cases, describes one confirmed hospitalization and 28 potential exposures that the Florida Department of Health in Orange County believes may be connected to the facility.
“The Orange County Health Department has initiated an investigation into possible Legionnaires’ disease cases in Ocoee, FL. A key focus of the investigation is the Crunch Fitness location on Silver Star Road, a facility that was previously an LA Fitness where health officials investigated three Legionnaires’ cases back in 2017,” the law firm’s website states.
At least one Ocoee woman who confirmed she is a member of the Ocoee Crunch Fitness location has been hospitalized and diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, according to the law firm’s website.
Crunch Fitness has confirmed it is cooperating with health officials and has, out of an abundance of caution, closed off parts of the gym to conduct thorough water testing of its pool and spa systems through certified third-party specialists. The company noted that it spent over $5 million renovating the facility, including the HVAC and aquatic systems, prior to its 2024 opening.
The health department has stated that it does not comment on ongoing epidemiology investigations.
Despite the ongoing testing, the facility remains open and the confirmed source of the illness has not yet been determined by health officials.
When News 6 reached out for comment at the facility, management declined to provide a statement and requested privacy on their premises.
Jones said she opted not to proceed with her workout after speaking with facility staff.
“We need to be safe in that environment,” she said.
Note: This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
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