An outbreak of a bacterial an infection that’s immune to some antibiotics has been linked to the deaths of 4 sufferers at a Seattle hospital.
The sufferers have been contaminated with Klebsiella pneumoniae, a micro organism generally present in healthcare settings. They have been admitted to varied departments at Virginia Mason Medical Middle, together with an intensive care unit, an working room, and inpatient medical beds.
The hospital reported a rise in Klebsiella instances at its downtown campus in October 2022, and as of Wednesday, there have been 31 confirmed infections linked to the pressure. The supply of transmission remains to be underneath investigation, and the most recent identified confirmed case was recognized on April 3.
The 4 sufferers who died after contracting the micro organism already had sophisticated diagnoses once they arrived, so it is unclear how a lot Klebsiella contributed to their deaths, the hospital mentioned.
What’s Klebsiella pneumoniae?
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a bacterium that happens naturally within the atmosphere and could also be a part of the traditional microbiota in a wholesome digestive system.
In accordance with well being officers, infections attributable to the micro organism are extra widespread in sufferers who’re sick or have weakened immune methods on account of different medical situations.
Though most people who find themselves uncovered to this micro organism stay asymptomatic, in some instances, it will possibly trigger infections similar to urinary tract infections and different issues.
Security measures
Hospital officers have mentioned that the possibilities of the sufferers contracting the micro organism are very low. Virginia Mason Medical Middle has taken precautionary measures for the reason that outbreak was found, and contaminated sufferers have been handled, in keeping with Sidney Bersante, the hospital’s interim president.
Bersante mentioned in a launch that the hospital is “taking proactive measures to forestall additional transmission” regardless of the low threat of transmission for sufferers. He additionally mentioned the hospital is working with native and state well being officers to research the supply of the outbreak.