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Worrying infectious wave in the US has already claimed 18 deaths
The US state of Wisconsin is currently being overrun by a mysterious wave of infection. Already 44 people fell ill with the bacterium Elizabethkingia anophelis. 18 patients died. Authorities and physicians are in the face of the cause of a mystery.
Already 18 dead by mysterious wave of infection
The authorities in Wisconsin currently have a mysterious wave of infection. According to the state health department, 44 people have been infected with the bacterium Elizabethkingia anophelis since the beginning of November. Eighteen patients have died so far, according to a report by "Medical Daily". It is said that deaths do not necessarily depend on the bacteria, as most of the patients were over 65 years old, according to Fox News 6, and had previously had at least one serious illness. The exact trigger of the current wave of infection is so far unclear. From other US states so far apparently no cases were reported.
Unusual infections in the US. Image: Alexander Raths - fotolia No evidence for transmission from person to person
According to the dpa news agency, medical officer Karen McKeown told the Wisconsin State Journal, "We still could not find common ground between cases." There was no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The National Health Authority CDC ("Centers for Disease Control and Prevention") is also helping local authorities find the cause. Experts believe that more cases will happen. The State Department of Health Services said it plans to submit new figures on Wednesday.
At most 500 infections annually
According to the information, no more than 500 cases of "Elizabethkingia" infections per year are registered in the USA. Symptoms that may occur include fever, chills and shortness of breath. In severe cases, infection can cause sepsis (blood poisoning), according to health experts. The infection is named after the American bacteriologist Elizabeth King, who first described the germs in 1959. (Ad)