ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - At least 10 people in Atlantic County and three in Ocean County have contracted a bacterial infection stemming from the use of contaminated medical supplies, state health officials said.
The Press of Atlantic City reported (https://bit.ly/2fQhCMH ) New Jersey has seen 52 cases of B. cepacia infection directly linked to a multistate outbreak currently under investigation by state and federal health officials.
The New Jersey Department of Health issued warnings last month to long-term health care facilities, such as nursing homes, regarding possible contamination from saline flush syringes made by Texas-based supplier Nurse Assist.
Flush syringes are used to clear out intravenous lines to keep the area clean and sterile.
“This is a continuing investigation,” said Donna Leusner, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say the cases were found among 19 different facilities in the state. The facilities weren’t identified.
Nurse Assist issued a voluntary recall Oct. 4 of all of its unexpired 3-, 5- and 10-milliliter intravenous flush syringes distributed to providers between Feb. 16 and Sept. 19.
A CDC investigation into the Nurse Assist products is ongoing.
The bacteria can cause fevers, chills, shortness of breath and an abnormal heart rate among other symptoms.
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Information from: The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.), https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com
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