Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2021

CONTACT:
MDHHS: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]
MDARD: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724, [email protected]
EGLE: Hugh McDiarmid Jr., 517-230-7724, [email protected]

Stay safe this summer: tips for identifying and avoiding harmful algal blooms

LANSING, Mich. – If you or your family are living near or visiting Michigan waters in summer or fall months it is important to be aware of the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs).

HABs form due to a rapid overgrowth or bloom of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are naturally present in lakes, rivers and ponds. Unfortunately, some cyanobacteria produce toxins, called cyanotoxins, that can be present in cyanobacterial blooms, which at higher levels can be harmful to people and animals.

HABs usually occur in Michigan May through October, most commonly in August and September. The occurrence of cyanobacteria and their toxins has been confirmed in lakes across Michigan in previous years, and elevated toxin levels have been documented in a small percentage of Michigan lakes. During 2020, 61 HABs in 35 Michigan counties were reported to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

“Before going in the water, we recommend Michiganders look for visible algal blooms or scums on any lake, and that people and pets stay out of water in areas that look affected,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “If you may have had contact with or swallowed water with a HAB and feel sick, call your doctor or Poison Control at 800-222-1222. If symptoms are severe, seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible.”

What does a HAB look like?

HABs can look like algal scums or mats, spilled paint or pea soup, or colored streaks on the water’s surface. Visit the HAB Picture Guide for examples of HABs and other algae and plants.

Blooms may last for days or sometimes weeks. Blooms can change in size, toxicity and location within the same day. They also may disappear on a waterbody, but then form at a later time.

What should people do if they think they have found a HAB?

Consult the HAB Picture Guide for examples of HABs and compare your sighting to other algae and plants found in lakes.

If you suspect you have found a HAB or have any suspicion:

• Do not let people, pets or livestock in the water or near the shore in affected areas.
• Unless the bloom covers a large part of the lake, you can still use any part of the lake that is not affected.
• Always rinse off people and pets after contact with any lake water.
• If there is a posted HAB advisory or closing, follow its instructions.
• Report suspected HABs to EGLE by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 800-662-9278. If possible, include pictures of the suspected HAB.

What are the symptoms of HAB exposure?

Breathing in or swallowing water containing HABs and their toxins may cause the following symptoms: runny eyes or nose, asthma-like symptoms, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, numbness, headaches, dizziness or difficulty breathing. Skin contact can cause rashes, blisters and hives.

Should residents be concerned about threats to animal health?

Animals, especially dogs, can become ill or die after contact with HABs. Signs of illness can include vomiting, diarrhea, staggered walking and convulsions. Preventative measures for dogs include keeping them out of the water wherever surface scums or discolored water are visible, bringing along clean, fresh water for them to drink and rinsing them off after contact with any lake water. If a pet or livestock animal becomes sick after contact with water that may have a HAB, contact a veterinarian right away.

Illness in an animal due to exposure to a HAB is reportable to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Cases can be reported by submitting a Reportable Disease Form, located at Michigan.gov/dvmresources under “Reportable Diseases,” or by calling 800-292-3939 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What can people do to help prevent HABs from occurring?

Michigan residents should learn about nutrient pollution, such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus, to reduce and prevent HABs. Excess nutrients may come from detergents, sewers, fertilizers and malfunctioned septic systems.

Michiganders can decrease nutrients getting into the water by:

• Using phosphate-free detergents.
• Disposing of pet waste properly.
• Applying fertilizer only when necessary and applying the recommended amount according to label instructions. A buffer should be left when applying fertilizer near a lake or stream.
• Promoting the use of natural shoreline (as opposed to hardened shoreline) including growing native vegetation along the water’s edge.
• Joining a local organization or like-minded residents to develop or update a watershed management plan (WMP) if one does not already exist or is out-of-date. A WMP identifies pollutants that are causing water quality problems, the sources of those pollutants and recommends actions that can be taken to reduce pollutant inputs into surface waters.

Contacts for HAB questions

• More information on health effects, causes, and reports on the occurrence of HABs in Michigan lakes can be found at Michigan.gov/habs.
• For more information on HABs and your health, contact MDHHS at 800-648-6942.
• For more information on HABs and pets and livestock, contact MDARD at 800-292-3939.
• For more information on HABs and the environment, contact EGLE at 800-662-9278.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2021 

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov

Whitmer: MDHHS gains federal approval to continue additional emergency food assistance benefits for 1.25 million people

LANSING, Mich. – All Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits are receiving an additional monthly payment in July in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today.

More than 1.25 million people in close to 700,000 Michigan households will benefit under approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services.

“As we emerge from the pandemic and continue our economic jumpstart, we must use the federal dollars we have to help Michiganders put food on the table,” Gov. Whitmer said. “My administration, MDHHS and other partners have worked to ensure that nobody went hungry in the middle of a global pandemic. It is essential for us to continue our efforts, and I thank the Biden administration for helping us feed 1.25 million Michiganders.”

Some Michiganders began receiving additional food assistance in April 2020 after the beginning of the pandemic the month before. In May 2021, all eligible households began getting extra monthly benefits. Federal approval is necessary every month.

“MDHHS will continue to strive to help low-income residents who have been affected by the pandemic put food on the table,” said MDDHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Many residents have been forced to leave the workforce – whether it’s due to lack of child care, health effects from COVID, or other reasons. There is still great need for this food assistance.”

All households eligible for SNAP receive an increase of at least $95 monthly, even if they are already receiving the maximum payment or are close to that amount. Households that received over $95 to bring them to the maximum payment for their group size will continue to receive that larger amount.

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by July 27. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month.

Below are the maximum allowable benefits for SNAP customers based on their respective household size:

• One Person: $234
• Two Persons: $430
• Three Persons: $616
• Four Persons: $782
• Five Persons: $929
• Six Persons: $1,114
• Seven Persons: $1,232
• Eight Persons: $1,408

The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1.

Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

# # #

• July Additional Food Assistance Press Release.pdf

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2021

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

Michigan experiencing increase in Legionnaires’ disease

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is coordinating with local health departments across the state to investigate a recent increase in reports of Legionnaires’ disease.

Between July 1 and July 14, 107 cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported in 25 counties. While increases in cases are often related to environmental factors, including heat and rainfall, this represents a 569% increase from referrals from the same period in 2020 (16 cases) and a 161% increase from referrals from the same period in 2019 (41 cases).

Confirmed cases include 19 in Wayne County, 17 in Oakland County and in the City of Detroit and 15 in Macomb County.

Legionella bacteria causes two forms of legionellosis respiratory infections. Legionnaires’ disease is an infection with symptoms that include fever, cough and pneumonia. A milder form of legionellosis, Pontiac fever, is an influenza-like illness without pneumonia that resolves on its own.

MDHHS and local health departments are working to inform healthcare providers of the increase in cases and share information regarding testing and treatment. While legionellosis cases are most common in the summer and early fall when warming, stagnant waters present the best environment for bacterial growth in water systems, this increase is higher than expected for Michigan for this time of year. MDHHS is requesting that providers keep this in mind with patients that present for care with pneumonia and existing risk factors for this infection. To date, no common sources of infection have been identified.

“Recent weather trends including rain, flooding and warmer weather may be playing a role in the rise of reported legionellosis cases this summer,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health. “We want everyone to be aware of Legionnaire’s disease, especially if they may be at higher risk for illness and we ask that healthcare providers remain vigilant, and test and treat appropriately.”

As many buildings are currently reopening after extended COVID-19 closures or periods of limited use, this may also create an environment for potential amplification and transmission of Legionella bacteria. Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater lakes and streams but can also be found in man-made water systems. Potable water systems, cooling towers, whirlpool spas and decorative fountains offer common environments for bacterial growth and transmission if they are not cleaned and maintained properly. Warm water, stagnation and low disinfectant levels are conditions that support growth in these water systems.

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.
• Recent stay in a healthcare facility.
• Exposure to hot tubs.
• Exposure to settings where the plumbing has had recent repairs or maintenance work.

Most healthy individuals do not become infected after exposure to Legionella. Individuals at a higher risk of getting sick include the following:

• People over age 50.
• Current or former smokers.
• People with chronic lung disease.
• People with weakened immune systems from diseases, such as cancer, diabetes or liver or kidney failure.
• People who take immunosuppressant drugs.

Individuals with any concerns about Legionnaires’ disease or exposure to the Legionella bacteria should talk to their healthcare provider. MDHHS and local health departments will continue to monitor cases and provide updates to the public. More information on Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2021 

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov

MDHHS “Stay Well” team presents summer webinars to help Michiganders recover emotionally from COVID-19 pandemic 

LANSING, Mich. – Mental health research shows it may take months or even years for some people to recover emotionally from experiencing something like the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Stay Well program has scheduled two free summer webinar series focused on supporting mental wellness and strengthening resilience.

“MDHHS has recognized the value of helping people take care of their behavioral health as well as their physical health during the fight against COVID-19 and will continue to do whatever we can to help Michiganders address their mental health needs,” said Allen Jansen, senior deputy director of the department’s Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration. “The idea is to give Michiganders feeling distressed by the pandemic some new ways to channel their thoughts and energy this summer. Or, as we like to say, be kind to your mind.”

The two series of webinars are called the “Summer Resilience Series” and “Draw Your Feelings!” Details are below:

Summer Resilience Series

The series is open to anyone with access to the Zoom online platform. Featuring a diverse assortment of guest speakers from around Michigan, the webinars explore practices that can help people find hope, tranquility and optimism.

The remaining program line-up for the Summer Resilience Series is as follows, with all “Summer Resilience” webinars beginning at 1 p.m.:

• July 20: Expressive Art: Reveal, Heal, Transform
• July 27: Music for Mindfulness
• Aug. 3: Mindfulness Practice for Anyone, Any Time
• Aug. 10: Meditation 101
• Aug. 17: Exercise for Depression
• Aug. 24: Yoga and Yogic Breathing for Wellness
• Aug. 31: Hardwiring Your Nutrition Routine

Draw Your Feelings!

The second series of webinars offers interactive Zoom workshops designed for parents and their children ages 2 to 10. Led by licensed clinical mental health counselor Zeinab Moussa, the weekly workshops are designed to help children build emotional intelligence through guided drawing activities.

“Children sometimes have difficulty expressing their emotions, and parents may not fully understand what the child is feeling,” said Dr. Debra Pinals, MDHHS medical director for Behavioral Health. “The pandemic has certainly shed light on this, as children have been forced to adapt to change, just as adults have. This free, interactive learning series uses art to help parents and children connect – to their inner emotions and to one another.”

The schedule and topics for this series are as follows, with all “Draw Your Feelings!” webinars at 2 p.m.:

• July 21: All About Me. Children identify their own positive traits by making pictures. Helps boost self-esteem.
• July 28: My Values. Parents and children illustrate their family values by creating a drawing together.
• Aug. 4: Grief and Loss. Through drawing, kids acknowledge sad feelings and work toward processing grief and loss.
• Aug. 11: Anger. What does anger look like? Making pictures leads to a discussion of appropriate ways to express anger.
• Aug. 18: Love Yourselves. Children write what they love about their parents. Parents draw a self-portrait. Helps build parental self-esteem and strengthen family bonds

To learn more and register for any of the sessions, visit Michigan.gov/StayWell.  Recordings of past webinars are also available at the site.

In April 2020, disaster behavioral health professionals at MDHHS created the Stay Well Crisis Counseling Program, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to help Michiganders through the mental health challenges of COVID-19.

The program operates the Stay Well crisis counseling line – Dial1-888- 535-6136 and press “8” – hosts virtual support groups, presents psychoeducational webinars, and distributes mental wellness information in multiple languages. For information, visit Michigan.gov/StayWell.