Florida Legionnaires’ Outbreak Linkedโ to Gym Exposure
MIAMI – A recent โฃoutbreak of Legionnaires’ โคdisease in โFlorida has been traced to exposure at anโ LA Fitnessโฃ gym in Duval County, state health officials announced this week. As of December 6,2025,the Florida Department of Health has confirmed at least 11 cases linked to the gym,with investigations ongoing to determine the โfull extent of the outbreak.
Legionnaires’ disease,a severe form โฃof pneumonia,is caused by Legionella โbacteria. While โnot contagious, it’s contracted by breathingโ in tiny water droplets containingโฃ the bacteria. Common sources include cooling towers, water systems, and plumbing.
According to the Centers โfor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),about one out of every 10 people who get โsickโ with Legionnaires’ disease dies from complications. The risk is higher for those hospitalized with the disease – approximately 1 out of every 4 will die.
Individuals at increased risk include current โor former smokers, those 50 years or โolder, and people withโ underlying health conditions such as cancer, chronic lung disease,โ diabetes, kidney failure, โliver failure, or a weakened immune system. CDC data indicates higher incidence rates among Black people,โข males, โฃolder adults, and in the Northeast and Midwest regions, particularly during theโ summer and fall months.
Nationally, the United States โhas seen legionellosis rates increase ninefold as 2000, peaking in 2018 beforeโฃ a temporary dip during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Cases rebounded in 2021 and continue to rise. โBetween 8,000 and 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires’ each year โin the U.S.
The Florida Department of Health is working with LAโข Fitness to remediate the source of the bacteriaโ and prevent further exposure. The gym has temporarily closed sectionsโค potentially linked to the outbreakโฃ for thorough cleaning and disinfection.
Health officials advise anyone โขwho visited โthe LA Fitness location in Duvalโ County and developed symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease – including cough,shortness of breath,fever,muscle aches,and headaches -โ to seek โmedical attention immediately and inform their healthcare provider of potential exposure.
Climate change is believed to be โa contributing factor to theโ increasing incidence of Legionnaires’ disease, as warmer temperatures and increased humidity promote bacterial โคgrowth in cooling systems.
