FLINT, MI -- Erin Brockovich and Michael Moore are among those sounding off after the news of a spike in Legionnaires' disease in the Flint area.
Brockovich, an environmental advocate portrayed on the big screen by Julia Roberts, took to her public Facebook account Wednesday, Jan. 13, to "beg, plead, cry" for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to investigate.
Related: Rev. Jesse Jackson expected at Flint rally
Gov. Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency last week because of Flint's lead in water crisis, apologizing for the state's role in decisions that led to rising lead levels in Flint water and in the blood of young children since the city changed its water source to the Flint River in April 2014.
The latest social media outcries come after officials announced Wednesday, Jan. 13, that 10 people in Genesee County have died of Legionnaires' disease since Flint switched its water source to the Flint River.
This is a growing national concern... the answer is likely YES. Legionella bacteria is transported by biofouled drinking...
Posted by Erin Brockovich on Wednesday, January 13, 2016
There's no evidence of a clear link between the spike in cases and the water system change that's caused uproar over elevated lead levels found in Flint children.
Still, Snyder said, "that just added to the disaster we were already facing."
Many others posted their opinions. Here's a selection of online posts about the developing news:
Have a friend who is currently dealing with this water crisis and illness. Please pray for her, those affected and even...
Posted by Karen Wilson Rankin on Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Praying for my city [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Posted by Sunshine Lewis on Thursday, January 14, 2016
The story has reached a national and international audience, as news outlets including The Washington Post and New York Times have published stories about water woes in Flint.
Washington Post: In Flint, bad tap water runs politically deep
New York Times: Officials Study Possible Tie Between Legionnaires' Disease and Flint Water
CNN: How tap water became toxic in Flint, Michigan