Disease Spreads At Selfridge

The number of people sickened by Legionnaires' disease at Selfridge Air National Guard Base has increased to six. 

Command officials at the base say those diagnosed with the disease include one member of the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard.  The others are employees of U.S. Army's TACOM.  All are assigned to work at Selfridge.

Meantime, health experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expected on the base to lend additional expertise and assistance.

"The CDC can add additional knowledge and resources that we can use as we work to discover the root cause of this illness," said Mr. John Ambrose, senior epidemiologist on the team working on the case, in a statement. "The CDC personnel will augment local medical and public health professionals who have been investigating the case."

"The health and well-being of our people is our number one concern," said Brig. Gen. Michael L. Peplinski, 127th Wing commander. "We have invited the CDC to join our team as we work to ensure that our people are safe."

Senior leadership and the investigation team are encouraging any employee who may be presenting with flu-like symptoms of cough, chills, body aches, headache or fever to seek medical attention.
 
People get Legionnaires' disease when they inhale a mist or vapor that has been contaminated with the bacterium. The disease is not contagious and is not spread from one person to another person.

One of those sickened remains in critical condition. 
 
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