
A Seattle hospital reported last week that an outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae has infected 31 patients, with seven deaths.
According to a press release, the outbreak at Virginia Mason Medical Center's downtown campus was first detected in October 2022, and the most recent case was confirmed on April 3. The hospital says it's unclear whether the K pneumoniae infections caused or contributed to the seven patient deaths, which have all occurred since the investigation began.
Hospitals officials say they notified all patients who tested positive for the bacterium and immediately implemented increased safety measures to reduce transmission, including conducting environmental sampling, updating facility infrastructure, and reviewing cleaning and infection prevention practices.
"While the risk of transmission is extremely low for patients, we continue to take proactive steps to avoid additional transmission," said Sydney Bersante, Virginia Mason's interim president. "We are continuing to investigate the source of this outbreak jointly with local and state public health partners."
While the risk of transmission is extremely low for patients, we continue to take proactive steps to avoid additional transmission.
The Public Health Department of Seattle & King County said on its website that whole-genome sequencing was used to identify cases associated with the outbreak strain, which carries an enzyme that makes it resistant to certain antibiotics. The rate of cases associated with the strain has decreased since the investigation began.