(WWJ) -- Some parts of Michigan are seeing a big spike in cases of Legionnaires' disease this summer.
According to officials, there have been 107 cases reported in 25 counties between July 1 and July 14.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says they have 19 confirmed cases in Wayne County, 17 in Oakland County and in the city of Detroit, plus 15 in Macomb County.
Experts say stagnant waters are the best environment for bacterial growth, but the increase in cases is much higher than expected for Michigan at this time of year.
The state's chief medical executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says recent weather trends — including lots of rain, flooding and warmer weather — may be playing a role, but no common sources of infection have been identified.
Transmission to people occurs when mist or vapor containing the bacteria is inhaled. Legionnaires’ disease does not spread person to person.
Risk factors for exposure to Legionella bacteria include: recent travel with an overnight stay, a recent stay in a healthcare facility, exposure to hot tubs, and exposure to settings where the plumbing has recently had repairs or maintenance work.
Investigators are telling health care providers that patients who show up with symptoms of pneumonia, or have existing risk factors, remember that cases of Legionnaires’ disease have increased this year in Michigan.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, cough and pneumonia.
More information on Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
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