ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County now leads the state of Florida in reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease, as questions grow about whether residents and workers may have been exposed at more than one location.
The Florida Department of Health confirms 100 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Orange County so far this year, along with 10 probable cases. That total is nearly double the number reported in any other Florida county.
Last month, health officials investigated an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease possibly linked to a Crunch Fitness gym in Ocoee and a nearby law firm. That investigation remains the only outbreak in Orange County publicly confirmed this year.
[WATCH: Health officials investigate disease ‘outbreak’ possibly linked to Ocoee gym, law firm says]
However, new questions emerged after warning notices were posted inside the Orlando Federal Courthouse.
After receiving a tip, News 6 visited the courthouse and found Legionnaires’ disease notices posted on five of the building’s six floors. Someone who works in the building told News 6 the signs were posted about two months ago.
The notices state that bacteria were detected in the water system and warn that Legionella bacteria can spread when contaminated water droplets are inhaled.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia that can present with flu-like symptoms, including cough, fever and muscle aches. The disease is spread through contaminated water systems, not from person to person.
To better understand how the bacteria could be present, News 6 spoke with Juritza Plugez, water quality lab supervisor for the Orlando Utilities Commission, which supplies water to the area.
“No bacteria is found in our waterways,” Plugez said. “We test for things like chloroform and E. coli within our system pretty much on a daily basis. That way, we ensure that there is no bacteria within the system.”
Plugez said OUC is responsible for water up to the building, while responsibility for water systems inside the building typically falls on property managers.
“At this time, yes — most of the time the responsibility, when it’s detected inside of a building, lies with the building management,” she said.
It is not yet clear whether the courthouse notices are connected to the previously confirmed outbreak in Ocoee or to any confirmed outbreak at all.
News 6 has contacted the Florida Department of Health multiple times with questions about whether the courthouse notices are tied to a confirmed outbreak, whether the situation is contained, and what steps are being taken to prevent additional cases. As of publication, no response has been received from the department or from courthouse building management.
Last year, Orange County ranked second-highest in the state for Legionnaires’ disease cases, behind Lee County. This year, it now reports the highest number of cases among Florida’s 67 counties.