3-10-16 wisconsin bloodstream infection

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has sent additional investigators to Wisconsin to find the source of a blood infection officials describe as the largest outbreak of the bacteria now linked to 15 deaths and 26 illnesses.  Infectious disease specialists expected additional cases of the infection to be found because health care providers and laboratories have been alerted to look for the bacterium, called Elizabethkingia.  A team of eight investigators is working with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to interview those infected in 11 counties to see if a common source of the organism could be found. CDC specialist Michael Bell says it’s the largest outbreak of Elizabethkingia recorded in published literature.  State health officials say most of those infected are over 65 with compromised health.