Legionnaires’ link supported

The head of a Flint hospital that found Legionnaires’ disease bacteria in its water system more than a year ago said he and experts suspected the Flint River was a likely source of the contaminant.

Don Kooy, president of McLaren hospital, said he was surprised that Michigan and local health agencies didn’t inform the public about a Legionnaires’ outbreak in Genesee County in 2014-15 until just a few weeks ago.

The outbreak occurred while Flint residents were repeatedly complaining about dirty tap water coming from the river — a crisis that ultimately caused exposure to lead and other health problems.

At least 87 Legionnaires’ cases, including nine deaths, were confirmed across Genesee County during a 17month period. Public officials say they haven’t determined if Flint River water was responsible.