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FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The latest on the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan (all times local):
9:10 p.m.
A spokesman with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells The Associated Press the agency is consulting with state health officials and local health departments in Michigan about the increase in Legionnaires' disease cases in and around Flint.
Spokesman Ian Branam said in an email that the CDC currently has no plans to send staff to Flint and says state and local health department have jurisdiction over investigations in their states.
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria that infect the lungs.
Michigan health officials say there's been an increase in Legionnaires' disease cases during periods over the past two years in the county where Flint is located. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday it can't conclude that the increase is related to the water crisis Flint, where drinking supplies became contaminated with lead after the city began drawing from the Flint River in April 2014.
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8:45 p.m.
Michigan State University and Hurley Children's Hospital are expected to announce a new initiative to provide resources for assessing and continued monitoring of children in Flint exposed to lead in the city's drinking water.
Details about the plan are scheduled to be announced Thursday in Flint. Experts from various fields including pediatrics, child development, psychology, epidemiology, nutrition, toxicology, geography and education will be involved in the initiative, according to the hospital.
For more than a year, water drawn from the Flint River leached lead from old lines into homes after the city switched its drinking water. Exposure to lead can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities in children.
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5 p.m.
Michigan health officials say there's been an increase in Legionnaires' disease cases during periods over the past two years in the county where Flint is located.
The Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday it can't conclude that the increase is related to the water crisis Flint, where drinking supplies became contaminated with lead after the city began drawing from the Flint River in April 2014.
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria that infect the lungs.
Health officials reported 45 confirmed cases, including seven associated deaths, in Genesee County from June 2014 to March 2015. In 47 percent of the cases, the water source at the primary residence was from the Flint River.
A comparative chart officials provided shows only 21 cases reported in all of 2012 and 2013.
Officials also said they had preliminary data indicating 42 cases of Legionnaires' disease between May 2015 and November 2015, with three deaths.
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12:30 p.m.
Flint's mayor says she appreciates Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's order to activate the National Guard to help with the city's water crisis, but that Flint will need more assistance.
Mayor Karen Weaver said in a statement Wednesday she's glad the state is putting in resources.
Lt. Col. William Humes said about a half-dozen National Guard representatives arrived Wednesday, ahead of a larger contingent that will help distribute bottled water, filters and other supplies to residents.
Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management.
Weaver said the city also needs federal assistance "to cope with this man-made water disaster." The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved Snyder's request to coordinate a recovery plan.
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11:45 a.m.
Some Michigan National Guard leaders have arrived in Flint for briefings on the drinking water crisis ahead of a larger contingent of Guardsmen who will help distribute bottled water, filters and other supplies to residents.
Gov. Rick Snyder activated the National Guard late Tuesday, and Lt. Col. William Humes confirmed about a half-dozen representatives arrived Wednesday morning. Roughly 30 Guardsmen will be in place by Friday, enabling American Red Cross volunteers to join door-to-door efforts already underway instead of staffing sites where residents can pick up free bottled water, filters, replacement cartridges and home water testing kits.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency also has approved Snyder's request to coordinate a recovery plan.
Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management.
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6:45 a.m.
Flint police are warning people to be wary of scammers trying to prey on residents amid the city's drinking water crisis.
Chief James Tolbert says in a statement that police have received reports of people selling water filters. He notes that filters are being distributed for free around the city, so there's no need to buy one from someone on the street.
Tolbert says it's "unconscionable that some residents would try to take advantage of others coping with this water situation." He's asking people to report potential scams to police, including people trying to sell filters they got for free.
Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management.
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4 a.m.
A public museum in Flint has commissioned a traveling exhibit on the science and history of the city's water system in response to the ongoing crisis.
The exhibit, titled "Water's Extreme Journey," will open Jan. 23 at the Sloan Museum and will close May 8. It's described as an interactive maze that challenges visitors to explore the water cycle from the perspective of a water drop that's trying not to become polluted.
The Sloan Museum also has curated a local exhibit component and 13 public programs aiming to educate and empower visitors to take action on local water issues.
The localized portion of the exhibit features a timeline exploring the history of Flint's drinking water beginning in 1873.
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2 a.m.
Members of the Michigan National Guard are headed to Flint to help distribute bottled water, filters and other supplies to residents dealing with a drinking water crisis that began months ago.
Gov. Rick Snyder late Tuesday activated the National Guard, and some members were expected to arrive as soon as Wednesday.
More than 30 Guardsmen will be in place by Friday, enabling American Red Cross volunteers to join door-to-door efforts already underway instead of staffing sites where residents can pick up free bottled water, filters, replacement cartridges and home water testing kits.
Snyder on Tuesday also requested and was granted support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in coordinating a recovery plan.
Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management.
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