Ten people have now died of Legionnaire's Disease in Michigan, with the latest known fatality taking place in the Flint area. Public water systems in that region are known to carry large concentrations of toxins, including lead.
The Flint water crisis has not only become a regular news story, but is a major topic of conversation in the 2016 presidential race. One of the Democratic debates between Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders was held in Flint, marking the importance of the issue.
Michigan governor Rick Snyder called on the state National Guard to distribute water to residents in the region, and President Obama declared a national emergency in the city, freeing up additional resources to deliver relief to endangered residents.
"To date, 88 cases and ten deaths have been identified in total for the 2014 and 2015 outbreaks in Genesee County. While legionellosis is not uncommon, it's important that any person who is having symptoms of respiratory illness let their doctor know right away," said Eden Wells, Chief Medical Executive with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Legionella bacteria thrives in warm water, like that found in hot tubs, fountains, and cooling towers. When a person is exposed to the microorganisms, the infection can develop into Pontiac Fever, or the more serious Legionella. The illnesses can only be contracted by consuming the bacteria, and are not contagious.
The identity of the latest victim remains a secret, although health officials state the person was not a resident of Genesee County, but was treated at a local hospital. The fatality took place in 2015, but was just recently noted in records.
Between June 2014 and November 2015, medical professionals in Michigan diagnosed 88 cases of Legionnaire's Disease (LD). Of these patients, 31 received Flint water at their homes. However, 26 of the people diagnosed with the illness had no known exposure from the city water supply.
The Flint River became the main source of water for the city in April 2014, two months before the first cases were diagnosed. Health officials are still uncertain whether or not the Flint River is responsible for the outbreak, however, many people are laying the blame for the disease on the lead-filled tap water in Flint.
