In case the prospect of an entire city possibly being poisoned for life isn’t bad enough, the people of Flint, Michigan, have to worry about other serious health issues stemming from their contaminated water. An unusual spike in Legionnaire’s disease has been seen in the area, with 87 cases and 10 deaths since last summer. The Detroit Free Press reports:
Since Flint switched its water source, officials have seen a spike in the number of cases of a severe form of pneumonia, called Legionnaires' disease — but officials say they're still looking for the cause.
There have been 87 cases from June 2014 to November 2015 -- and 10 of those cases resulted in death, said Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The area normally sees a handful of cases per year.
Though officials held a news conference Wednesday to alert the public about the spike, they made clear that there were no changes in recommendations for bathing or showering. Wells added that a more complete analysis of the cases was coming soon.
Gov. Rick Snyder said he learned of the cases only “a few days ago," and acknowledged during questioning that the increase in Legionnaires' disease “just adds to the disaster we are already facing.”
That’s 10 deaths that appear to be linked to the choice to hook Flint up to the Flint River. But that’s what happens when you ignore public health and knowingly choose to make an entire city full of people drink water from a river known to be polluted. It is difficult to overstate the magnitude of the oversights and failures by Michigan officials, Gov. Rick Snyder, and some Flint officials. It won’t be a surprise as more long-term health issues pop up down the road.
More updates on this as the analysis of the outbreak is completed, and as new developments come out of Flint.