We've likely all seen a movie or read a book in which the outbreak of some deadly disease ends up wiping out the population of a whole city. In reality, when an outbreak of some form of deadly disease or bacteria is detected, it becomes the responsibility of the hospital at which the outbreak occurred to both contain the outbreak and notify the public. Failure to do so can result in unnecessary deaths due to hospital negligence.
The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center recently announced that a drug-resistant bacteria has killed seven patients at their federal facility. Known as a leading medical and clinical research facility, the NIH is a revered and well respected medical institution. The fact that the superbug has been able to survive in an environment such as NIH despite the medical facility's best efforts has caused concern among many within the medical community.
The first case of the superbug was reported in Aug. 2011. Since that time, 19 patients have tested positive for the bacteria, seven of whom died as a direct result of the deadly strain. The most recent victim to succumb to the drug-resistant strain was a minor-aged boy. The boy traveled to NIH for treatment after experiencing complications from a bone marrow transplant. The boy also had several other health complications that adversely impacted his immune system.
Last January, NIH officials were hopeful their efforts to contain the deadly superbug had been successful. After the bacteria had spread to 17 patients, hospital officials ordered that those infected be quarantined. Hospital doctors and nurses were also monitored to ensure they followed strict procedures with regard to sanitation and hand washing. Six months went by without any new cases of the bacteria being detected, until the most recent case of the boy.
Officials as NIH are quick to try to quiet public concern that the bacterial superbug may become a widespread public health issue. They contend that only patients with suppressed immune systems are at risk.
Source: The Washington Post, "NIH superbug claims 7th victim," Brian Vastag and Lena H. Sun, Sept. 14, 2012