Latest News, Local News, International News, US Politics, Economy

EzriCare eye drops cause dozens of infections, 1 death in several states, CDC warns

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is asking people to stop using a brand of eye drops that could be behind dozens of infections across the US.

The CDC says lab and epidemiological evidence have tied the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears to a multi-state cluster of Pseudomonas aeruginosa patients, but the investigation is ongoing and there is not yet a definite link.

Eye Drops Linked To 1 Death, 50 Infections

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria are found in the environment, are antibiotic-resistant, and can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), and other body parts. These situations frequently occur following surgery.

The CDC team has discovered at least 50 people in 11 states who have Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a form of bacterium that is resistant to most treatments. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Washington have all reported cases.

CDC scientists discovered that the majority of people used artificial tears, with EzriCare being the most popular brand while seeking to determine the origin of the infections. The drug-resistant germs were found in unsealed bottles of the drops, according to the CDC. The testing of sealed bottles is still happening.

Read more: Brain implant as thin as human hair created for social media navigation

EzriCare Products Suspected To Be Contaminated

ezricare-eye-drops-cause-infections-death-states
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is asking people to stop using a brand of eye drops that could be behind dozens of infections across the US.

Eleven people got eye infections, and at least three of them went blind in one eye. Others were suffering from respiratory or urinary tract illnesses. When the bacterium entered the patient’s bloodstream, one individual died.

It’s unclear whether the individuals had underlying eye disorders like glaucoma or cataracts that rendered them more vulnerable. Pain, swelling, discharge, redness, hazy vision, sensitivity to light, and the sensation of a foreign object caught in the eye are all symptoms of an eye infection.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria are often found in water and soil, as well as on otherwise healthy people’s hands. Infections are most common in hospital settings among persons with compromised immune systems.

This bacterium is frequently resistant to regular antibiotics. The investigational drops are labeled as preservative-free.

That is, the product contains nothing that could inhibit microbiological growth. The product could have been contaminated during the production process or by someone who had the bacteria on his or her skin when he or she opened the container.

The bacteria was discovered in bottles of eyedrops and is being tested to see if it matches the type detected in patients. EzriCare Artificial Tears had not been recalled as of Tuesday. They’ve been available on Amazon and at retailers like Walmart.

Read more: Tax refunds: How to avoid identity theft and hacking?

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.