Since Nov. 1, 2015, sixty-three confirmed Elizabethkingia anophelis cases have been see in the Wisconsin outbreak with an additional case being reported today by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Special Bacteriology Reference Lab.
In addition, four possible cases have been reported although confirmation will not be possible due to unavailability of the strain.
The majority of patients acquiring these infections are over 65 years old, and all patients have a history of at least one underlying serious illness.
Counties with confirmed cases include Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago.
There have been 18 deaths among individuals with confirmed Elizabethkingia anophelis infections and an additional 1 death among possible cases for a total of 19 deaths. It has not been determined if these deaths were caused by the infection or other serious pre-existing health problems. Counties where these deaths occurred are: Columbia, Dodge, Fond du lac, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha.
Although commonly found in the environment, particularly in soil and water, Elizabethkingia rarely causes disease in otherwise healthy individuals. CDC laboratories receive 5-10 isolates per year in each US state.
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