LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Attendees of the J.M Tull YMCA in Lawrenceville won't be swimming or using other water facilities until investigators figure out how a potentially deadly bacteria was spread among some members.
YMCA provided a statement that said in part that on Monday, the Gwinnett County Health Department contacted them regarding reports of Legionella bacteria, forms of which can lead to Legionnaires Disease, by some who had been to their facilities.
"Although there are currently no environmental samples showing this bacteria present in our facility, we voluntarily closed the areas of concern," the YMCA statement said.
The organization has also hired an outside company that specializes in remedying issues at facilities to help address any concerns.
"Our members' health and safety is our highest priority and we will continue to work closely with the Health Department on this matter," the statement said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionnaires' disease is a severe type of pneumonia which can be spread by mist containing the bacteria. There currently is no vaccine and treatment involves antibiotics. One in 10 people who get the disease die from it and many more require hospitalization.
Despite some facilities - namely whirlpools, indoor pools, saunas and showers - being off limits, the rest of the facility is still available for use.
