One Brit dead and dozens sickened in 'superbug' outbreak linked to contaminated ... trends now
One Brit has died and dozens more sickened in a 'superbug' outbreak linked to contaminated eye drops.
Health chiefs traced the crisis back to three separate medical drops produced in India for patients with dry eyes..
All were thought to have been carrying an antibiotic-resistant bug that can prove fatal for immunocompromised patients.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) bosses believe the outbreak is now over, with the brunt of it occurring last autumn when the products were originally recalled.
No details on the patient who died were released.
Brand names that were linked to the outbreak were various batches of AaCarb, Aacomer and Puroptics eye drops
UKHSA said that, as of 21 March, officials had confirmed 52 confirmed cases linked to the use of the eye drops in Britain as well as six additional 'probable' cases. This graph shows the timeline of the outbreak in the UK
Burkholderia cenocepacia — a type of bacteria naturally resistant to the antibiotics normally used to treat such infections — was listed as a contributing factor in their death.
The medications were manufactured by Indiana Ophthalmics, a company based in India.
Various batches of AaCarb, Aacomer and Puroptics branded carbomer eye gels were affected.
Such products are usually given to patients suffering from dry eyes, and can be bought online for as little as £4.50.
UKHSA said that, as of 21 March, officials had confirmed 52 confirmed cases linked to the use of the eye drops in Britain.
Another six cases were listed as 'probable'.
The youngest patient sickened was a baby, while the oldest was 91.
The vast majority were already in hospital being treated for another issue when they were given the eyedrops by staff unaware they were using a contaminated product.
Of the cases, 25 were assessed by UKHSA as having 'clinically significant infections' brought on by Burkholderia cenocepacia.
Eleven suffered eye infections. Some developed ulcers in
