Mexico’s Ministry of Health issued an epidemiological alert in the state of Oaxaca on Tuesday due to an outbreak caused by the Klebsiella oxytoca bacteria, which, according to the statement released, “can cause infections in people with weakened immune systems.”
Mexican authorities have confirmed 15 cases and four probable cases. “The age range (of the patients) is 0 to 14 years, although the majority of cases are newborns with administration of parenteral fluids with clinical and laboratory data compatible with bloodstream infection,” the statement said.
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Among the patients most vulnerable to this bacteria are those who use devices such as respirators, with intravenous catheters or those who undergo prolonged treatments with certain antibiotics, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (CDC, for its acronym in English).
Infection is most commonly caused by personal contact, but can also occur through exposure to contaminated water, soil, or equipment. In healthcare settings, Klebsiella infections frequently occur among sick patients being treated for other conditions.
Source: cnnespanol
