Two employees of General Motors' Cole Engineering Center in Warren, Michigan, have tested positive for Legionnaires' disease, leading to the temporary closure of the facility through at least September 22, as per announcements made by the company. ClickOnDetroit reported that the Macomb County Health Department informed General Motors of the positive tests late Wednesday, while FOX 2 Detroit noted the automaker had conducted its own bacteria tests at the tech center but found no sources of Legionnaires' disease, which is why it has now hired a third-party company to carry out additional testing.
The health and safety of employees is GM's continued priority. The company, which was not yet able to confirm the engineering center as the source of the infection, closed the building as a precautionary measure, according to CBS News Detroit. Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection spread through contaminated water systems such as cooling towers and HVAC systems as Andrew Cox, Director/Health Officer of the Macomb County Health and Community Services, explained; symptoms can range from cough, fever, headaches, and muscle aches to chest pain, nausea and cognitive issues, typically appearing two to ten days after exposure to the bacteria.
Earlier this year, Wayne County health officials also confirmed the presence of the disease at a senior living facility in Dearborn, the handling of which included steps like disinfection and remediation, and ensuring alternative water sources, spotlighting the regional concern about the bacteria and steps entities should take when cases arise. Legionnaires' disease, which can escalate to severe pneumonia and has a fatality rate of nearly 10%, should be treated with antibiotics according to experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical sources like the Mayo Clinic.
