Water Crisis Stricken Flint, Michigan Gets Another Blow with Shigellosis Outbreak

Flint, Michigan’s water crisis problem is turning for the worst. Shigellosis, an infectious bacterial disease is now plaguing the city. The bacteria causes bloody diarrhea accompanied by fever. It typically spreads due to lack of proper hygiene.

The water crisis has left the residents wary of using the water, not even for use in washing their hands. Jin Henry, Genesse County Environmental health supervisor said. “People aren’t bathing because they’re scared,” He further adds. “Some people have mentioned that they’re not going to expose their children to the water again.”

Instead of washing, people are relying heavily on baby wipes for cleaning their hands.

Genesee County recorded 84 cases of Shigellosis with 27 patients hospitalized. Genesse County Health Department has already issued a medical advisory urging people to practice proper hygiene. Residents should shower often and wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

Shigellosis has already, more than tripled the level of infection it contains, compared to the previous year. MLive Media Group reported the Shigellosis situation last month. The bacterial infection also spiked June of this year.

State Action Against Shigellosis Lacking

Henry Said that the CDC, state and county are working together to fight the spread of the disease. However, he initially struggled to get the assistance from the state department of health when he first alerted the unusual high number of cases in August. The state health department pointed him to “contact CDC.”

However, for weeks the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services  stopped communicating and assisting [the county] regarding all disease investigations, including Shigellosis,” he added. “This action directly compromised the safety and health of our communities.”

A spokeswoman for the MDHHS said that they have been working with the county on Shigellosis since May. The courts issued a protective order that limited communication. MDHHS resumed information and assistance to the county at the end of August.

MDHHS also stated that “It is entirely irresponsible … to attempt to portray MDHHS’s efforts regarding the Genesee County shigellosis situation as somehow lacking. MDHHS has been fully engaged in this effort.”

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