Health District: Two Kennewick Gold’s Gym members catch same type of pneumonia

The Benton-Franklin Health District says its investigating two cases of Legionnaires' Disease in members of the Gold's Gym in Kennewick.

Officials say the pair of local women in their 80's and 90's have been discharged from the hospital and are recovering from the disease. The investigation into the source of the infection is still on-going but the health department says the gym is assisting.

So far they say no commonalities between the two cases have been found yet. Samples from the gym will be tested and results are expected in the next couple weeks. The facility is working to sanitize the pool and hot tub before both are reopened.

Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by inhaling aerosol droplets of water contaminated with the bacteria Legionella, usually from places like showers, hot tubs, faucets, cooling towers, misters and decorative fountains. Symptoms start between two and ten days and those at risk are over 50, former smokers, and those with a weak immune system.