Michigan Department of Health Releases Genesee County Legionnaires Disease Emails

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is releasing some of its earliest email conversations between its epidemiologists and the Genesee County Health Department regarding legionella cases.

“We know that the Legionnaires outbreaks have added to public concerns,” said Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive with MDHHS. “We want Flint to know we take these concerns seriously – that we have investigated these cases and committed our staff to support and guide the local investigations.”

In the fall of 2014, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services was aware of an increase in Legionnaires’ disease cases in Genesee County and it was determined that additional support from the state was needed. Within a month, state epidemiologists were conducting interviews with cases and medical record reviews. MDHHS also worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is working with environmental health officials on the local and national levels to address the potential for future Legionnaires disease cases. While there have been no additional cases of Legionnaires Disease in months locally, work continues to prevent future outbreaks.