Increased Cases of Legionnaires Disease Reported

Liz Gullett

Jan 15, 2016

On Wednesday, January 13, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported an increase to the cases of legionnaires disease (LD) in Genesee County during the summers of 2014 and 2015. While it is too early to know if this is caused by the increased levels of lead in the City of Flint’s water, it can’t yet be ruled out. From June 2014 to March 2015 there were forty five reported cases of LD in Genesee County. Of those individuals, the source of water in the primary residence for 47% of the cases was City of Flint water. For the five years prior, there was an average of eight to ten cases per year. “While Legionellosis cases are not uncommon, we are concerned about the increase in cases seen in Genesee County,” said Eden Wells, M.D., chief medical executive with the MDHHS. In a press release, the department stated they are treating the situation with the same urgency and transparency as the lead response in the City of Flint.

To view the full Legionellosis Analysis Report, please click here.

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