Focus: Infection Control

Expert says Flint's Legionnaires' outbreak likely killed more people than reported

The death toll attributed to the 2014-2015 Legionnaires' outbreak in Michigan may exceed the 12 reported deaths


One expert says the death toll attributed to the 2014-2015 Legionnaires' outbreak in Flint, Mich., may exceed the 12 reported deaths, according to an article on the Becker's Hospital Review website.

Marcus Zervos, MD, an infectious disease physician at Detroit's Henry Ford Health System and the co-principal investigator of Detroit-based Wayne State University's study of Flint's water contamination crisis, testified in the preliminary hearing of Michigan HHS Director Nick Lyon. 

Lyon faces  one count of involuntary manslaughter for his alleged role in interfering with state-funded research linking Flint River water to the Legionnaires' outbreak.

Zervos testified that a patient could contract Legionella bacteria while in a hospital, but dye six months later of heart failure. If the bacteria weakened the heart, a disease specialist could consider the death as being spurred by the infection.

Read the article.

 

 



October 16, 2017


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

Grounding Healthcare Spaces in Hospitality Principles

Thoughtful design can establish the calm of a spa and the restorative feeling of a resort in healthcare spaces, bringing benefits for patients and care providers.


UC Davis Health Selects Rudolph and Sletten for Central Utility Plant Expansion

Work is already underway with substantial completion anticipated in the fall of 2027.


Cape Cod Healthcare Opens Upper 2 Floors of Edwin Barbey Patient Care Pavilion

The first two floors opened for patients in May 2025 and house the Davenport-Mugar Cancer Center.


Building Sustainable Healthcare for an Aging Population

Traditional responses — building more primary and secondary care facilities — are no longer sustainable.


Froedtert ThedaCare Announces Opening of ThedaCare Medical Center-Oshkosh

The organization broke ground on the health campus in March 2024.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.