Two more die from multistate outbreak linked to ezriCare

57
2
Two more die from multistate outbreak linked to ezriCare

Two more people have died from a multistate outbreak of an extensively drug-resistant bacteria that's been linked to eyedrops, according to federal health officials.

As of March 14, nearly 70 patients in 16 states have been infected with a rare strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 37 of which were linked to four health care facility clusters, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. Three people have died from infections in total, and approximately 70 of them have been infected with the rare strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Eight patients have had vision loss and four others have had to have their eyeballs removed, according to the CDC.

The CDC has been investigating the outbreak, which has been linked to artificial tears manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare, along with the Food and Drug Administration FDA, as well as other state and local health officials.

Patients used over 10 different brands of artificial tears, but EzriCare Artificial Tears was the most commonly reported brand, according to the CDC.

Global Pharma Healthcare issued a recall for all lots within the expiry of EzriCare and Delsam Pharma's artificial tears products. It also agreed to recall Delsam Pharma's Artificial Eye Ointment due to potential bacterial contamination.

Laboratory testing by the CDC identified the presence of bacteria that matches the outbreak strain in opened EzriCare bottles from multiple lots. The test-stained bottles were collected from patients with and without eye infections and from two states, health officials said.

Officials are still testing unopened bottles to see if there has been contamination during manufacturing.

Patients who have used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma artificial tears and have signs or symptoms of an eye infection should get medical care immediately, according to the CDC. The signs of an eye infection include yellow, green or clear discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness of the eyelid, feeling of something in your eye, increased sensitivity to light and blurry vision.