State Warns About Legionnaires' Amid Warmer Weather
FLINT (AP) — State health officials are warning Flint-area residents that warmer weather can bring a greater risk for Legionnaires' disease, a pneumonia that can be fatal.
The Department of Health and Human Services is speaking out about Legionnaires' this week — after failing to inform the public about it in 2014-15 when an outbreak killed nine people in Genesee County.
Some experts believe the Flint River was the source of the Legionella bacteria, although no definitive link has been made. Flint was using the Flint River for water at that time.
Michigan's chief medical officer, Dr. Eden Wells, is advising residents to see a doctor if they have pneumonia-like symptoms, although Flint no longer uses the river.
People can get sick if they inhale mist or vapor from contaminated water systems, hot tubs and cooling systems.
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