4 deaths, 27 instances reported since bacterial outbreak discovered at Virginia Mason in Seattle

Virginia Mason Franciscan Well being is investigating a bacterial outbreak after 31 patients at its First Hill campus were infected.

The Klebsiella pneumoniae micro organism was first detected on the Virginia Mason Medical Middle in October 2022 and the newest confirmed case was recognized on April 3. The micro organism could cause pneumonia or bloodstream and wound infections.

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Public Well being – Seattle & King County stated of these 31 sufferers, 4 have died for the reason that an infection was recognized, nevertheless it’s unknown if the micro organism triggered their deaths as these sufferers had been hospitalized for varied circumstances. The micro organism dwell naturally in the environment and will be a part of the micro organism that dwell in a wholesome digestive system. Nonetheless, when it will get into different areas of the physique it may possibly trigger an infection. This often solely occurs when an individual has different medical circumstances that weaken their immune system.

There’s additionally no clear incubation time interval for the micro organism and public well being officers stated folks can have it of their system for months with none signs, making it tough to establish when and the place somebody could have been contaminated.

Klebsiella pneumoniae micro organism (Nationwide Institutes of Well being)

Sydney Bersante, Interim President of Virginia Mason Medical Middle, stated sufferers who examined optimistic for the micro organism had been notified and given remedy when crucial. Bersante stated the hospital is continuous to research the supply of the outbreak. The hospital famous that the danger of transmission is extraordinarily low and they’re persevering with to take steps to keep away from extra transmission.

“Sufferers with these medically complicated circumstances are typically hospitalized for lengthy durations or a number of occasions over an extended time period, usually have many procedures, and are handled on a number of areas in a hospital, all making it very tough to establish the place and when the supply could have occurred,” a spokesperson with Public Well being wrote in a press release to KOMO Information.

This story will probably be up to date with extra info because it turns into out there.

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