Michigan Legionnaires' cases up in 2018, but death rates drop

Legionnaires' disease cases rose last year in Michigan with 633 confirmed in 2018, a 67 percent increase from 2017, according to an article on the Crain's Detroit website.

Deaths declined to 5 percent last year from 7 percent in 2017 because of faster detection of symptoms and use of newer antibiotics, the article said.

During 2018, there were 32 confirmed Legionnaires' disease deaths, a 14 percent increase from 28 in 2017. 

Outbreaks are sometimes tied to poor water treatment at a healthcare facility, hotel or large building. But water-use reduction techniques that lead to stagnant water, aging plumbing infrastructure and a warmer and a rainier climate might also contribute, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read the article.