4 useless in klebsiella pneumoniae outbreak at Seattle hospital

4 sufferers at a downtown Seattle hospital are useless in connection to an outbreak of a micro organism typically present in well being care settings that has developed resistance to some antibiotics.

The contaminated sufferers, who contracted Klebsiella, have been hospitalized in varied departments, together with inpatient medical beds, an ICU, and an working room at Virginia Mason Medical Middle, the hospital mentioned in a press release launched Wednesday.

Starting in October 2022, hospital workers mentioned it detected a rise in circumstances of Klebsiella pneumoniae micro organism at its downtown campus.

To date there have been 31 confirmed infections related to pressure, officers mentioned, and the supply of transmission remained beneath investigation Wednesday.

Officers mentioned the most recent recognized confirmed case was recognized on April 3. 

The 4 who died after contracting the micro organism already had advanced diagnoses once they arrived on the hospital, so it’s unclear how Klebsiella contributed to their deaths, the hospital mentioned.

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What’s Klebsiella pneumoniae?

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a sort of micro organism that lives naturally in our surroundings and will be a part of the traditional micro organism that lives in a wholesome digestive system.

Well being officers mentioned infections generally happen amongst sick or immunocompromised sufferers who’re receiving remedy for different circumstances.

Most individuals who contract it won’t ever expertise an an infection, however sometimes Klebsiella pneumoniae can result in urinary tract infections and different issues.

Elevated security measures

In response to hospital officers, the chance of transmission is extraordinarily low for sufferers.

Sydney Bersante, interim president of Virginia Mason Medical Middle, mentioned the hospital has applied elevated security measures since figuring out the outbreak, and has supplied remedy to contaminated sufferers.

“Whereas the chance of transmission is extraordinarily low for sufferers, we proceed to take proactive steps to keep away from extra transmission,” Bersante wrote in a press release. “We’re persevering with to analyze the supply of this outbreak collectively with native and state public well being companions.”

Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending information for USA TODAY. Attain her at nalund@usatoday.com and comply with her on Twitter @nataliealund.