ERWIN, N.Y. (WENY) – The New York State Department of Health has confirmed to WENY News that water samples from the Guthrie HealthWorks Wellness and Fitness Center in Erwin testing positive for Legionella, the bacteria that can cause Legionnaires' disease.

NYSDOH officials say as a precaution, the center voluntarily closed while it “implements measures to prevent potential exposure to legionella”.

In an automated voice message, Guthrie HealthWorks said that the center is expected to reopen on Friday.

Health Department officials also provided the following information:

  • The Department has received no reports of illness associated with Guthrie HealthWorks.  It’s important to stress, Legionella is not spread person to person.

  • The Department recommended Guthrie HealthWorks retain a water consultant to manage the remediation, which would include a hot water flush of the Center’s water system.

  • In New York State, including NYC, between 200 and 800 cases of legionellosis are diagnosed annually.  More legionellosis cases are usually identified in the summer and early fall, but it can happen any time of year. 

  • Legionella exist naturally in water and moist soil. They have been found in creeks and ponds, hot and cold water taps, hot water tanks, water in air conditioning cooling towers and evaporative condensers, and soil at excavation sites.

  • For more information about Legionella, please see: http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/legionellosis/fact_sheet.htm