Outbreak sickens 3 at fitness center

Legionnaires’ disease contracted at E. Memphis club

At a spacious East Memphis fitness center where hundreds of people come to get healthy, a jarring notice greets members: Three people who had used the club had contracted Legionnaires’ disease.

The Health Department is investigating the illnesses at the 24 Hour Fitness USA Inc. club at 1285 Ridgeway, where the “wet areas” — including the pool, steam room and spa — have been temporarily closed to

allow for inspections and cleaning.

“We can confirm that there is an outbreak. That we have three confirmed cases and no deaths reported so far. We are working with the facility to identify and remediate areas where exposures may have occurred,” department spokeswoman Elizabeth Hart said in an e-mail.

Legionnaires’ disease, also known as legionellosis, is a bacteria-borne ailment that develops into a severe form of pneumonia. It was identified following an outbreak at a 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia in which more than 200 legionnaires became ill and 34 died.

The Legionella bacteria that causes the disease often breeds in aquatic systems such as air-conditioning facilities, steam rooms and swimming pools. It is not passed from person to person; instead, victims get sick after breathing in mist particles containing the bacteria.

An estimated 8,000 to 18,000 Americans are hospitalized with the ill- ness each year, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Department officials Tuesday could not say whether the county has experienced any previous outbreaks.

Robin Rootenberg, spokeswoman in the San Ramon, Calif., headquarters of 24 Hour Fitness USA Inc., said the company is working with the Health Department to deal with the outbreak. It notified members who may have visited the facility between May 21 and June 21 that they should seek medical assistance if they experience symptoms, which include coughing, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headaches.

“We’re performing a comprehensive inspection and cleaning of the spa and steam room,” she said, adding that the firm was sorry to have to close the pool during the summer. “We’ve got to make sure we do the right thing. We do recognize that it’s an inconvenience.”

Rootenberg said all 24 Hour Fitness clubs have facility technicians who maintain and monitor the facilities. In clubs that have pools and spas, a pool-maintenance ven- dor is hired or a certified technician is on hand to oversee the facility. She said the Legionnaires’ outbreak is the first at a 24 Hour Fitness club.

The company would not divulge the number of members at the nearly 45,000-square-foot facility on Ridgeway south of Park. It operates more than 400 centers nationwide.

The Health Department learned of the illness because Legionnaires’ is a reportable disease, meaning doctors, clinics and laboratories are required to notify officials when a case is diagnosed, Hart said.