FHI: The fatal bacterial outbreak in Norwegian hospitals is over

The outbreak of the pseudomonas bacterium, which has led to at least eight deaths in Norwegian hospitals, is now considered to be over.

The bacterial outbreak affected 40 hospitals and led to more than 380 cases of infection from October 2021 to May 2022. The bacterium is dangerous for very ill people, and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) believes the outbreak contributed to at least eight deaths.

The eruption is traced to pre-moistened washcloths. The cloths have now been taken out of use, and thus the outbreak is now over, the FHI believes.

“The outbreak could have lasted longer if not for an attentive doctor at UNN Tromsø, who reacted to the fact that three intensive care patients died of pseudomonas infection at short intervals in November 2021,” chief physician Kirsten Gravningen at the FHI stated.

Even though the outbreak is over, the FHI expects more infection cases, since illness can occur several months after infection. The FHI believes that hospitals must review the use of non-sterile products for the most vulnerable groups.

Note: The picture used is for illustration purposes only.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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