In a follow-up on the Elizabethkingia anophelis outbreak in Wisconsin, the state Department of Health Services today reports 62 infections (56 confirmed, 2 under investigation and 4 possible cases) and 18 deaths ( 17 deaths among individuals with confirmed Elizabethkingia anophelis infections, and an additional 1 death among possible cases).

Elizabethkingia anophelis Image/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Special Bacteriology Reference Lab.
Elizabethkingia anophelis
Image/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Special Bacteriology Reference Lab.

The affected counties include Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sauk, Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago.

The majority of patients acquiring this infection are over the age of 65, and all patients have a history of at least one underlying serious illness.

At this time, the source of these infections is unknown and the Department is working diligently to contain this outbreak.

As part of the outbreak investigation activities, DPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are conducting site visits and collecting environmental samples from both private residences and health care facilities. CDC is also assisting Wisconsin with testing of samples from a variety of potential sources, including health care products, water sources and the environment. To date, none of these have been found to be a source of the bacteria.

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