Contaminated Medical Supplies Sicken 13 From Atlantic, Ocean Counties

State health officials say at least 10 people in Atlantic County and three in Ocean County have contracted a bacterial infection stemming from the use of contaminated medical supplies.
The Press of Atlantic City reports New Jersey has seen 52 cases of B. cepacia infection directly linked to a multistate outbreak currently under investigation by state and federal health officials.

The New Jersey Department of Health issued warnings to long-term health care facilities last month regarding possible contamination from saline flush syringes made by Texas-based supplier Nurse Assist.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say the cases were found among 19 different facilities in the state. The facilities weren’t identified.

The Press of Atlantic City report quotes Dr. Manish Trivedi, an infectious disease specialist and chairman of infection prevention at AtlantiCare, who says the bacteria can cause fevers, chills, clammy skin, shortness of breath, abnormal heart rate and other symptoms.

“This infection is not very common,” he said. “It typically affects patients with weakened immune systems or underlying lung diseases. In this (outbreak), not all patients who were exposed had issues, but some had preexisting conditions and were affected.”

SOURCE: Press of Atlantic City