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Michigan is experiencing an unprecedented spike in Legionnaires’ disease cases, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said on Monday.
There were 107 Legionnaires’ cases reported between July 1 and July 14, a 569% increase from the same period in 2020 and a 161% increase from 2019, according to the Department.
The disease causes a respiratory infection and can give a person a fever, cough, and pneumonia.
It spreads by mist or vapor from the Legionella bacteria so that they are not passed from person to person.
The department says that most healthy people who encounter the bacteria will not get sick. Legionnaires are most dangerous for people over 50, current and former smokers, people with chronic lung disease, people with weakened immune systems, and people on immunosuppressants.
“Recent weather trends, including rain, flooding and warmer weather, could play a role in the increase in reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease this summer,” said Joneigh Khaldun, deputy chief health officer of the agency.
“We want everyone to know about Legionnaires’ disease, especially if they have a higher risk of disease and we ask healthcare providers to remain vigilant, test and treat appropriately,” Khaldun added.
Risk factors for the disease including staying overnight while traveling, staying in a healthcare facility, being exposed to a hot tub, and being exposed to places where recent plumbing repairs have been made.
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