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Employees diagnosed with respiratory illness; testing of facilities underway

  • Published
  • By 127th Public Affairs
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MICH. --  Two individuals working here were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease Monday.

The workers were associated with two buildings on the base where 29 TACOM Life Cycle Management Command employees were diagnosed with upper respiratory illness between July 12 and July 24. Six employees were hospitalized due to illness. One employee diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease is a member of the 127th Wing at Selfridge ANGB and the other is an employee of the TACOM LCMC headquartered at the U.S. Army's Detroit Arsenal.

"A pattern of illness became evident July 19," said Maj. Gen. Kurt Stein, TACOM LCMC commanding general. "We immediately began mitigation efforts. By July 22, we determined the common factor was duty location so we removed the individuals from those areas and informed the workforce."

Throughout the weekend, both buildings were thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Additionally, the air conditioning units were serviced and sanitized. The building cooling tower was treated with a disinfectant. The air and water quality in both buildings has been tested and results are expected in 7-10 days. Officials from the TACOM LCMC, U.S. Army Medical Command and Selfridge ANGB continue to work together to ensure everything is safe before workers return to the buildings.

"This outbreak of illness has been of huge concern to us all and I'm hopeful for swift recovery for all those who have fallen ill," said Brig. Gen. Michael Peplinski, base commander. "We believe the swift actions taken by both agencies after discovering the high rate of illness in these employees will help to minimize further instances of illness," he said, regarding the evacuation and sanitization of the two buildings in question.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure the cleanliness and safety of these facilities," said Rick Ellison, acting chief of operations of the base's civil engineering mechanical department.