Michigan Dept of Health and Human Services is investigating Cases of Legionnaires in Genesee County.

PWP Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to a May 10 press release, The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is investigating a case of Legionnaires’ Disease (LD) in a patient who spent time in McLaren Flint Hospital. This is part of an ongoing investigation of a cluster of cases reported in 2018 and 2019 with exposure histories that involve the hospital.

The most recent case spent their exposure period as an inpatient at McLaren Flint Hospital and had an illness onset in the beginning of May 2019. The identification of a potential source of these infections is on-going and involves local, state, and federal public health agencies and McLaren Flint Hospital. Hospital administration has been cooperating with the investigation. This according to the media release.

According to MDHHS, LD is a respiratory infection caused by Legionella bacteria. LD is a severe infection that includes symptoms of fever, cough and radiologic findings consistent with pneumonia. Legionella bacteria are naturally occurring in fresh water sources. The organism can multiply in manmade water systems such as cooling towers, decorative fountains, hot tubs and large building plumbing systems.

According to MDHHS, After Legionella grows and multiplies in a building water system, water containing Legionella can spread in droplets small enough for people to breathe in. People can get LD when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain the bacteria.

Individuals at higher risk for LD include those who are age 50 or older; have a current or past smoking history; or have an underlying illness or condition such as chronic lung disease, kidney or liver failure, diabetes, systemic malignancies, or immune system disorders due to medications or disease. Recent travel and overnight stays in hospitals or other healthcare facilities can increase an individual’s risk for exposure to LD.

Patients with pneumonia should be tested for LD if they have any of the following histories, according to the press release from MDHHS.

• Have failed outpatient antibiotic treatment for community-acquired pneumonia.
• Are immunocompromised.                                            
• Are admitted to the ICU.
• Traveled within 10 days prior to symptom onset.                                                                                            
• Were recently hospitalized.
• Developed pneumonia ≥48 hours after hospital admission.

If you are concerned about possible symptoms of pneumonia you should contact your primary care provider. Further information regarding LD is available from the CDC website at Cdc.gov/legionella.

# # #

Parola Perspective In Brief: Might Just Get That Impeachment Yet. By PWP Contributor Brooks Parola.

So Trump is fighting every subpoena issued by the House Democrats. The latest is an attempt to fight the one issued to McGahn who's now a private citizen, and who Trump has no control over.

While many argue that this is who Trump is, and that he'll fight tooth and nail. Well, I certainly hope so. Because while his base might look favorably on such tactics, I think for many, it's yet another, and constant reminder of him acting guilty, hiding things, and...obstructing justice. The Dems need to continue with hearings, need to continue to issue subpoenas, and watch Trump crash and burn as he continues his self-destructive fight...we just might get that impeachment yet.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Gives Weekly Democratic Address.

Photo Purple Walrus Press.

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan has delivered her weekly Democratic Address. In the Address Debbie Dingell highlighted the progress Democrats have made in the For The People Agenda.

Below is a full transcript of the address:

“Hello, I’m Congresswoman Debbie Dingell from the 12th District of Michigan – home of the auto industry and the University of Michigan – Go Blue!

“This week, the Administration released the Mueller Report.  Congress’ oversight responsibilities matter, but while the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees continue their investigations, Democrats in the House are still focused on our work to deliver For The People.

“Our agenda – to lower prescription drug prices, to create sixteen million good-paying jobs through a real infrastructure plan and to make sure that our government is working – is what Americans expect from this Congress and it’s what they deserve.

“Every day, we have stayed focused on the issues that matter to working men and women, and are working hard to improve lives across this country.

“Democrats know that America is strongest when everyone has quality, affordable health care.

“I have spent a lot of time in doctors’ offices in the last year.  Every time I go, I hear the very personal challenges faced by many.  A mother terrified for her daughter if protections for pre-existing conditions are stripped away.  Women who don’t get mammograms because they can’t afford the treatment if they are diagnosed.  Seniors who are splitting pills in half and rationing their insulin.  We have been working to help them.

“Democrats have done everything in our power to protect life-saving access to affordable health care coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions, our seniors and our most vulnerable.

“Families and seniors have also steadily seen the rise in prices of prescription drugs. First it was EpiPens, then insulin and now we are seeing increased costs for inhalers. One of the most common inhalers costs almost $700, and copays range from $80 to $400, with some having to pay the total price out-of-pocket.  Imagine a family struggling to get by, with a child who must have that inhaler.

“We will keep working to make health care and prescription drugs cheaper and bring stability to our health care system with lower out-of-pocket costs.

“America is prosperous when everyone has an equal shot at success and the playing field is level.

“Government that works for everyone, not just those with the largest checkbooks, is the strongest democracy in the world.

“In the first 100 days, Democrats passed a once-in-a-generation democracy reform bill designed to return our government to hard-working Americans and ensure they have an equal voice at the table.

“We supported survivors of domestic abuse.

“We took common-sense actions to strengthen and expand background checks, so people with a violent history aren’t able to purchase dangerous weapons.

“We passed a bill to put more money in the pockets of working American families by ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work.

“We finished decades of work by passing a landmark package to protect public lands and permanently safeguarding the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

  

“And this is just in our first 100 days.  We’re just getting started.

“Democrats will put forward an infrastructure plan that will provide millions of good-paying jobs for hard-working people by fixing our roads and bridges.

“We will also aggressively address the dangers posed by climate change and protect promises made to the Dreamers.

“As we move forward with this critical work, it is my hope that Republicans in the House and Senate will work with us.  I want you to know that we will work with the Administration whenever possible, though we cannot ignore our responsibility for oversight.

“This weekend is a holy weekend for people of many faiths.  Our Jewish neighbors begin the celebration of Passover.  Sunday is the culmination of Holy Week for Christians who will celebrate Easter.  Shortly, our Muslim friends will begin Ramadan.  It’s a time to remember that we all have shared values and those values are what make our democracy enduring.

“These first 100 days have been difficult ones for me. I lost the man I loved, and this is my first holiday in nearly four decades without him.

“John Dingell was a wise man who loved this country. He frequently observed on the need for all of us to come together for the common good, regardless of partisan ideology or personality, and that together we can preserve, protect and defend our beloved Constitution.

“That’s exactly what I - and all my Democratic colleagues - are going to do.

“We will continue fighting for and listening to everyone.

“We will keep working to build a safer, stronger and secure America together.

“Thank you.”

Parola Perspective: On Trump Impeachment.

By PWP contributor Brooks Parola.

I've been supportive of Pelosi playing down impeachment. But now that the report is out, now that we're seeing Barr completely mischaracterize the report, and when you consider the time constraints vis-a-vis the 2020 election...it's time to dramatically change the narrative by arguing that Barr IS WRONG; that Mueller's report shows that the president not only engaged in illegal activity, but that he clearly engaged  in impeachable offenses, and he must be held accountable.

Additional Measles Cases in Oakland County.

By Editor/Publisher Jeff Brown.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has confirmed an additional measles case in Southeast Michigan, bringing the state total to 43 for 2019. The newly confirmed case is from Oakland County. This according to Michigan Dept of Health and Human Services.There are no new exposure locations related to this case.

The outbreak, which began in mid-March, has resulted in 40 cases in Oakland County, one in Wayne County and one in the City of Detroit. In addition, an international traveler was diagnosed with measles following a visit to Washtenaw County, during which time he was contagious. Infected individuals range in age from 8 months to 63 years; a majority of the cases involve adults, according to MDHHS.

MDHHS is working closely with local health departments to identify possible exposure locations for these latest cases. A listing of exposure locations is online at Michigan.gov/MeaslesOutbreak.

Michiganders are urged to contact their healthcare provider or local health department about getting vaccinated for measles if they have not been vaccinated. A complete listing of local health departments is available at Malph.org/resources/directory.

According to MDHHS, the measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe. A single dose of measles vaccine protects about 95 percent of children, but after two doses, almost 100 percent are immune. The first of two routine childhood measles vaccine doses is given at 12-15 months of age. A second vaccine dose is given before the start of kindergarten, between ages 4 and 6 years.

MDHHS follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and does not recommend routine measles vaccinations for children less than 12 months of age unless there is a suspected measles exposure; there is thought to be an imminent measles exposure such as being in areas of known measles; or international travel planned, per MDHHS.

According to today's press release from MDHHS, for international travel, infants as young as 6 months should be vaccinated against measles. Measles vaccine, or other acceptable documentation of immunity to measles, is recommended for all persons travelling internationally.  

You cannot get measles from the vaccine. It can be effective when given within 72 hours of exposure to prevent illness. In addition, immune globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within six days of exposure for high-risk individuals. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if immune globulin is right for you.

High-risk individuals include those who are unvaccinated or unsure about vaccination status, pregnant women and those who are immune-compromised (have a weakened immune system due to illness and diseases like HIV, malnutrition and/or medications).

This is the highest number of measles in the state since 1991 when 65 cases were reported. 

So far this year in the U.S., there have been 555 cases of measles confirmed in 20 states. Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air, according to MDHHS.

The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever (may spike to over 104˚F).
• Cough.
• Runny nose.
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin.
• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms, and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin.

If symptoms develop, residents are urged to call their doctor or emergency room before arriving so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals.

For more information about measles, visit CDC.gov/measles. For more information about Michigan’s current measles outbreak, visit Michigan.gov/MeaslesOutbreak.

# # #