AL: Nine dead after receiving contaminated intravenous feeding bags

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.channel3000.com/health/27363379/detail.html

9 Dead After Infection Outbreak In Ala. Hospitals
Product Pulled From Market
ANNA McFALL, Associated Press

Posted: 5:35 pm CDT March 29, 2011Updated: 5:55 pm CDT March 29, 2011

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama health officials say nine people who received contaminated intravenous feeding bags have died and the maker has pulled the product off the market.

Health officials say 10 more people treated with the bags at six Alabama hospitals also were sickened by the outbreak of serratia marcescens bacteria...

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: AL: Nine dead after receiving contaminated intravenous feeding bags

from referenced article:

...officials have not definitively tied the deaths to the bacterial outbreak at six hospitals, State Health Officer Donald Williamson said.

"There is nothing to suggest the deaths were directly related to the bacterial infection.....

While they may not have physical evidence, what are the odds of it occuring simultaneously at 6 hospitals?

Below is from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serratia_marcescens

Serratia marcescens is a species of Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium in the family Enterobacteriaceae. A human pathogen, S. marcescens is involved in nosocomial infections, particularly catheter-associated bacteremia, urinary tract infections and wound infections.....

(snipped)

Due to its ubiquitous presence in the environment, and its preference for damp conditions, S. marcescens is commonly found growing in bathrooms (especially on tile grout, shower corners, toilet water line, and basin), where it manifests as a pink discoloration and slimy film feeding off phosphorus-containing materials or fatty substances such as soap and shampoo residue. Once established, complete eradication of the organism is often difficult, but can be accomplished by application of a bleach-based disinfectant. Rinsing and drying surfaces after use can also prevent the establishment of the bacteria by removing its food source and making the environment less hospitable.

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Most S. marcescens strains are resistant to several antibiotics....

(also)

It has also been used as a simulant in biological warfare tests by the United States Military.[9][10] On September 26 and 27, 1950, the United States Navy conducted a secret experiment named "Operation Sea-Spray" in which some S. marcescens was released by bursting balloons of it over urban areas of the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Although the Navy later claimed the bacteria were harmless, beginning on September 29 eleven patients at a local hospital developed very rare, serious urinary tract infections and one of these individuals, Edward J. Nevin, died. Cases of pneumonia in San Francisco also increased after S. marcescens was released.

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