Michigan reports uptick in Legionnaires' disease

Michigan health officials are investigating a recent uptick in cases of Legionnaires' disease, or a severe form of pneumonia.

People contract Legionnaires' disease when inhaling Legionella bacteria, and while most healthy individuals don’t become infected after exposure, certain populations are at higher risk for illness like older adults, smokers and immunocompromised individuals, health officials said.  The illness is not spread person-to-person. Legionella pneumophila, a bacterium, is usually the cause of the illness, according to Mayo Clinic. It can be found in soil and water, but more commonly causes infection when it multiplies in water systems such as hot tubs and air conditioners.