SEATTLE — Thirty-one patients have been infected in an ongoing Klebsiella outbreak at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle.
The most recent case was identified on April 3, according to a statement by Virginia Mason.
Klebsiella can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and infections in bloodstreams, wounds and surgical sites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to a spokesperson with Public Health - Seattle & King County, the agency was notified by Virginia Mason officials that four patients have died since the infections were first identified.
It’s unclear if the patients died from Klebsiella because there is no clear incubation time period for the bacteria.
That means someone can have the bacteria in their system for months without showing any symptoms, making it incredibly difficult to identify where and when someone may have been infected.
“Therefore, it is to be expected that given hospitalization and the patient population, people will have since passed away,” Sharon Bogan, a spokesperson with Public Health - Seattle & King County, sent in an email on Thursday. “What is most important is that healthcare and hospitals continue to improve infection control processes given how common these bacteria are.”
Virginia Mason Medical Center first detected an increase of Klebsiella pneumonia bacteria at its downtown campus in October 2022, according to VMMC Interim President Sydney Bersante.
“We immediately implemented increased safety measures, notified patients who had tested positive for the bacteria, and promptly provided treatment where necessary. While the risk of transmission is extremely low for patients, we continue to take proactive steps to avoid additional transmission,” Bersante stated.
Patients who are concerned or feel sick should reach out to their primary care provider, who can test specifically for Klebsiella and offer necessary treatments, according to Virginia Mason.