In a follow-up on the Legionnaires disease outbreak in Genesee County, MI, state health officials additional cases and deaths associated with legionellosis.
“To date, 88 cases and ten deaths have been identified in total for the 2014 and 2015 outbreaks in Genesee County,” said Eden Wells, M.D., Chief Medical Executive with the the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). “While legionellosis is not uncommon, it’s important that any person who is having symptoms of respiratory illness let their doctor know right away.”
MDHHS identified the additional case after conducting a comprehensive review of all LD deaths in the state. The individual did not reside in Genesee County but was hospitalized at a Genesee County hospital within the two week incubation period of developing symptoms of LD. Based on residence, the case was originally referred to the Shiawassee County Health Department. Because case investigation indicated an association with a Genesee County hospital, the case is being counted as part of the 2015 outbreak.
Of the 88 total confirmed cases between June 2014 and November 2015, 31 people, or 35 percent, received city of Flint water to their residence. A total of 26 people, or 30 percent, had no known exposure to a Flint hospital in the two weeks prior to illness, nor were their homes on the Flint water system. Other possible exposures were evaluated and no known community or residential exposures have been identified.
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In related news, the Genesee County Health Department in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and our community partners: University of Michigan-Flint School of Health Professions, Molina Health Care and McLaren Health Plan will host a massive lead screening event on Saturday, March 19 from 9:00am to 5:00pm at New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church. The goal of this clinic is to have all babies and children living in the high risk zip codes, 48501 through 48507 and those living in Burton and Flint Township receiving Flint water be tested for lead by April 1, 2016.
“Lead poisoning is a very serious condition that can cause delays and difficulty learning for babies and young children. The Genesee County Health Department would like to remind parents that it is vitally important to get your baby and young child tested for lead poisoning if they have not been tested since October 1, 2015.
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