B. Cepacia Outbreak News
Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided an update of its investigation into the recent multi-state outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia complex (also known as “B. cepacia complex”) infections. The CDC continues to recommend that:
“…clinicians not use any liquid docusate product as a stool softener or for any other medical purpose. This recommendation is now expanded to all patient populations. If an oral liquid docusate stool softener is medically necessary, alternative medicines should be used.”
The agency also urged healthcare providers and laboratories to be watchful for infections caused by B. cepacia complex in non-cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and that infection prevention staff should be alerted immediately if these infections are identified. Furthermore, although B. cepacia complex infections are known to occur in CF patients, clusters of such infections should be reported. Individual cases and clusters of illnesses should be reported to state or local public health authorities.
Additionaly, the CDC directed medical facilities indentifying B. cepacia complex infections among non-CF patients or clusters of these infections among CF patients to “sequester and save all docusate products used in the facility.”
CDC B. Cepacia Outbreak Investigation Update
Molecular typing has confirmed that bacterial isolates from 47 B. cepacia cases match one of two outbreak strain types identified from healthcare facilities in five states. In addition, the CDC reported that:
- Cases from additional states are being investigated.
- Two samples of unused oral liquid docusate product obtained from one of the affected hospitals have tested positive for B. cepacia complex. Further testing is being conducted to determine if bacteria from these samples match the outbreak strains.
- The FDA is testing multiple liquid docusate products that are linked epdemiologically to reported B. cepacia complex cases.
- One product was CDC confirmed for B. cepacia complex contamination; however, because of epidemiologic links, the CDC is concerned about potential contamination of multiple liquid docusate products, pending FDA’s ongoing investigation of shared ingredients in the products in question.
Call The Weinberg Law Firm For Product Liability Lawsuit Information
Since 1984, Attorney Eric Weinberg has been assisting personal injury victims. Focusing primarily on pharmaceutical drug litigation, The New Brunswick, NJ, Weinberg Law Firm has obtained over 800 million on behalf of clients. If you have questions regarding a potential Burkholderia cepacia infection lawsuit or docusate lawsuit, please call our law firm at 1-877-934-6274. Our phones are answered 24/7.
