Tests show legionella bacteria in Oakland County Courthouse

Exams from 11 areas within the Oakland County Circuit Courthouse have proven no less than 4 places with Legionella, in accordance with county officers.

Optimistic outcomes had been present in two males’s restrooms and two cafeteria sinks.

Legionella is a micro organism that causes a sort of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ illness, or a much less severe respiratory illness known as Pontiac fever.

Testing on the courthouse, 1200 N. Telegraph Highway, Pontiac, was carried out following testing on the sheriff’s administration constructing in Pontiac after a custodian turned ailing from Legionnaires.

Testing was ordered for all county buildings, beginning with the courthouse. Check outcomes take roughly two weeks. County officers obtained the outcomes from the courthouse simply earlier than Christmas.

Kathy Grey, a county spokeswoman, confirmed that 11 places within the courthouse had been examined. The 4 areas with constructive outcomes for legionella included two males’s restrooms, on the primary and third flooring, and two cafeteria sinks that aren’t publicly accessible.

The cafeteria is situated within the basement of the courthouse and will likely be closed till Jan. 5, Grey mentioned.

The courthouse was closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, however open on Fridays. Grey mentioned it’s unclear how many individuals labored Friday as a result of many had taken the time without work for the vacation.

The county’s precedence, she mentioned, was to tell employees, flush the water programs and set up filters that might forestall the micro organism from leaving the pipes.

“Any areas they can’t entry right this moment will likely be briefly closed,” she mentioned, including that check outcomes had been obtained earlier this week. The county’s elected officers had been alerted Friday morning.

She mentioned follow-up testing on the sheriff’s administration constructing confirmed no indicators of legionella.

“They are going to proceed to check there periodically,” she mentioned.

Extra provincial buildings will likely be examined, however provincial officers haven’t shared the schedule or different particulars.

The county doesn’t routinely check water programs for legionella, however officers mentioned they’re creating a testing plan after the custodian’s sickness. The circuit courthouse additionally incorporates the auditorium and workplaces of the commissioners, in addition to different departments together with the prosecuting lawyer, clerk of court docket, and treasurer.

One individual recognized with Legionnaires’ illness in April instructed well being officers he visited the county courthouse, however Grey mentioned his sickness was circuitously linked to the county constructing.

The county has not launched any situations for the custodian or the person who visited the courthouse in April.

Joe Rozell, the primary vp of UAW Native No. 889, works on the courthouse and mentioned he had spoken to labor relations officers within the county about employee security.

“The county plans to flush the courthouse water system and is now putting in filters,” he mentioned in a textual content message to The Oakland Press on Friday. “This confirms the union’s place that testing and remediation should proceed for all buildings during which our members are current. The security of our members is and stays paramount.”

Legionella can develop in soil particles or not often used water programs and unfold in microscopic water droplets. Some individuals who breathe within the mist might develop Legionnaires’ illness or Pontiac fever. Individuals with compromised immune programs usually tend to grow to be contaminated. Legionaries can’t be transferred from one individual to a different.

Signs might embody coughing, fever, headache, muscle aches and shortness of breath, and typically confusion, diarrhea or nausea.

County Fee Chairman Dave Woodward and Home Minority Chief Mike Spisz couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.