An outbreak of Elizabethkingia anophelis infections centered in Wisconsin [4][5] is thought to have led to the death of at least 20 people in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois.[6][7][1][2]
Date | November 1, 2015 | — present
---|---|
Location | Wisconsin, western Michigan, and Illinois, United States[1][2] |
Type | Disease outbreak |
Cause | Elizabethkingia anophelis |
Casualties | |
Deaths | 20[3] |
As of March 2016, it was reported to be the largest outbreak of Elizabethkingia anophelis-caused disease investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[8]
Human infections by E. anophelis involve the bloodstream.[4] Signs and symptoms can include fever, shortness of breath, chills, and cellulitis.[4] Confirmation requires a laboratory test.[4]
Statewide surveillance of the situation in Wisconsin was organized on January 5, 2016.[9] Cases had been reported from Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sauk, Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties); Illinois; and western Michigan as of April 13, 2016.[9][1]
Between November 1, 2015 and March 30, 2016, 62 cases of E. anophelis infections were reported to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health.[4]
The severity of the outbreak is reflected in a statement by the CDC that "the agency sees a handful of Elizabethkingia infections around the country each year, but the outbreaks rarely involve more than a couple of cases at a time. To have dozens of cases at once — and more than a third of them possibly fatal — is startling".[10]