A genus of bacteria commonly found around the world has been the cause of a number of mysterious infections across the Midwest recently. Here are four things to know about Elizabethkingia.
1. Background: Elizabethkingia occurs in the natural environment and has been detected in soil, river water and reservoirs. The bacteria rarely makes people ill. Morbidities most commonly associated with infections are neonatal meningitis or meningitis and infections of the blood and respiratory system in individuals with weakened immune symptoms. Approximately 5 to 10 cases in the U.S. are reported per state annually. The outbreaks caused by the bacteria are normally small, localized and most often occur in healthcare settings.
2. The Wisconsin outbreak: As of Wednesday, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services have reported 59 confirmed cases of Elizabethkingia anophelis in the state. There are an additional four cases that tested positive for Elizabethkingia but cannot be confirmed as the same strain because the specimens are no longer available for additional testing. Eighteen individuals with confirmed cases of the bacterial strain associated with the outbreak have died in the state. Another Wisconsin resident infected with an Elizabethkingia strain that can no longer be confirmed as being attributable to the bacterial strain responsible for the outbreak has also died, for a total of 19 deaths in the state potentially associated with the outbreak. On April 12, Illinois health officials confirmed one case of Elizabethkingia related to the Wisconsin outbreak in a deceased resident. The Wisconsin strain has also been linked to a death in Michigan. Most of those infected are over the age of 65. It has not been determined whether the reported deaths were directly caused by the infection or other pre-existing comorbidities.
3. The Illinois cluster: The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 10 state residents have been diagnosed with Elizabethkingia infections, and six of them have died. However, the strain in Illinois is different than that of the Wisconsin outbreak.
4. The investigation: The CDC is currently working with state health departments in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. The organization is assisting with testing, prevention and investigation. The sources of infection for both the Wisconsin outbreak and the Illinois strain remain unknown. CDC officials have categorized the Wisconsin outbreak as the largest of its kind that the organization has ever investigated. On April 8, WDHS added nine new positions to help strengthen the state's response to the outbreak. Recently it was reported that Wisconsin health officials were notified about a potential outbreak of Elizabethkingia months before they made the public aware of the situation.
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