Oakland County responds to Legionnaire’s case in sheriff’s building

County officers introduced Friday that though an worker has been recognized with Legionnaires’ illness, there isn’t any quick hazard to the general public or different county workers.

Legionella micro organism are generally present in pure and man-made water environments, however that doesn’t mechanically pose a danger, based on provincial officers.

“That is normally an an infection in water that’s stagnant throughout the construction or someplace the place the micro organism can develop underneath the fitting circumstances,” stated Jim Nash, Oakland County Water Sources Commissioner. He stated the micro organism are additionally present in soil.

The micro organism in water droplets or soil particles journey via air methods and might be inhaled by individuals. These with compromised immune methods or who’re 50 years outdated are at better danger of contracting the pneumonia-like sickness, the Mayo Clinic. Legionnaires’ illness can’t be transmitted from one particular person to a different.

Symptoms of the legionnaire might embrace coughing, fever, headache, muscle aches and shortness of breath. Different signs corresponding to confusion, diarrhea, or nausea might also happen.

“The union is deeply involved for its members in gentle of the current outbreak of Legionnaires on campus,” stated UAW steward Joe Rozell. “Now we have began working with the district administration to make sure that our members can work in a secure setting.”

He stated provincial officers are engaged on restoration and have despatched union members a message.

Rozell stated the union’s joint security committee has requested for extra information on what the province is doing however has not but obtained any data.

After county well being officers obtained state water take a look at outcomes Thursday confirming the presence of Legionella micro organism within the Sheriff’s Administration Constructing, 38 East in Pontiac, the constructing was closed for the whole weekend so facility officers may tackle the issue and schedule ongoing testing. The water was examined after a jail worker examined optimistic for Legionnaires’ illness, a respiratory illness. Though the sheriff’s constructing isn’t open to the general public, practically 200 individuals work there; individuals go to the constructing on daily basis.

“Oakland County’s high precedence is the well being and security of our workers,” stated County Well being Officer Kate Guzman. “There isn’t any quick danger to the general public and we’re taking all essential steps to handle Legionella contamination within the constructing.”

This is not the primary time the county has handled Legionnaires’ illness this yr: In April, an individual recognized with the illness stated they visited the county courthouse constructing at 1200 N. Telegraph Highway and different places. A county spokesperson stated no different instances have been linked to the county courthouse, however the water in that constructing will probably be examined. It’s unclear whether or not the customer recovered from the sickness.

County officers declined to supply the age, gender or well being standing of the April customer and the custodian recognized this yr.

These with questions can name the Oakland Connects Helpline, previously often called the Nurse on Name line, at (800) 848-5533.