Alabama bacteria outbreak claims 9 lives

March 31st, 2011 - 8:16 pm ICT by Aishwarya Bhatt  

Alabama, Mar 31 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Nine people have lost their lives after they got infected with bacteria that they got intravenously. It has been identified that the infection took place in about six hospitals in Alabama.

CNN reports that the bacteria have been identified as serratia marcescens bacteremia. The bacteria affected 19 people but the Centers for Disease Control is still investigating to realize whether the deaths were caused by the bacteria.

The infection is believed to have been caused by intravenous feeding. The bacteria were found in the bags used for intravenous feeding. All the bags were recalled on Thursday and state officials announced that the bags did not pose any more danger to the public.

According to the records, the outbreak of the bacteria was brought to the attention of health officials in the state on the 16th of March. However as far back as January, two hospitals in the state raised the red flag on the bacterial infection.

The hospitals involved in the bacterial infection have been identified as Baptist Princeton, Baptist Shelby, Medical West, Cooper Green Mercy, Select Specialty and Baptist Prattville. The state health officials have ruled out an error on the part of the hospitals.

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