A hospital in Seattle has confirmed two more deaths in connection to a bacterial outbreak that began last year.
Beginning in October 2022, hospital staff at Virginia Mason Medical Center said it detected an increase in cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria at its downtown campus. Since then, nearly a dozen people have died after contracting the bacteria strain.
The infected patients, who contracted Klebsiella, were hospitalized in various departments, including in inpatient medical beds, an intensive care unit, and an operating room, the hospital said in a statement.
“While the risk of transmission is extremely low for patients, we continue to take proactive steps to avoid additional transmission, including conducting environmental sampling, updating facility infrastructure, and reviewing cleaning and infection prevention practices,” the release states.
Here’s what we know about the outbreak.
What is Klebsiella pneumoniae?
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that lives naturally in our environment, per the hospital. They are normally found in the human intestines − where they do not cause disease − as well as in human feces.
According to the CDC, Klebsiella pneumoniae infections commonly occur among sick or immunocompromised patients receiving treatment for other conditions. Patients whose care requires devices like ventilators or intravenous catheters, and patients who are taking long courses of certain antibiotics are most at risk of infection.
Klebsiella pneumoniae can cause different types of healthcare-associated infections, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, would or surgical site infections, and meningitis, the CDC states.
How do people get infected with the bacteria?
Health officials said infections commonly occur among sick or immunocompromised patients who are receiving treatment for other conditions.
Most people who contract it will never experience an infection, but occasionally Klebsiella pneumoniae can lead to urinary tract infections and other complications.
New study:AI can help doctors with breast cancer risk predictions
Clinging jellyfish in New Jersey:Here’s everything you need to know
How many people have been infected with the bacteria?
To date, 33 people have been confirmed to be infected with the strain of bacteria.
How many people have died as a result of the outbreak?
The two latest deaths bring the overall total to nine since the start of the outbreak.
Virginia Mason Medical Center said in the statement it is “difficult to determine whether Klebsiella pneumoniae caused or contributed” to the deaths, since some patients’ conditions were complex.
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY
