A bacterial outbreak in hospitals around the nation has been linked to almost 50 people, including an elderly patient who died in Queensland.
Australia’s medical watchdog has issued a quarantine notice for saline products which appear to be contaminated with Ralstonia – a form of bacteria normally found in soil and water.
Some saline products used at hospitals are being pulled immediately after the Therapeutic Goods Administration issued an alert, following a bacterial outbreak in NSW.
Scientists in the ACT have identified products from India and Greece as a possible source of contamination, Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said on Tuesday.
There are currently 44 suspected cases across the country.
Ms Fentiman expressed her condolences to the family of an elderly patient in Queensland who died after the bacteria was found in their blood at a private hospital.
There are five probable cases at another Queensland private hospital, she said.
However, Ms Fentiman said she was unaware of any Ralstonia contaminations at Queensland public hospitals.
An urgent patient safety alert was issued by Queensland Health on Friday after Ralstonia’s link with previous outbreaks in healthcare settings from contaminated medical fluids.
The bacteria is of particular concern for patients with underlying health conditions and those with implanted medical devices.
“This is a national issue first identified in NSW and involves products imported from overseas,” Ms Fentiman said in parliament on Tuesday.
Last month NSW Health authorities asked every state to be on the lookout for Ralstonia cases after a cluster of infections were identified, but with no apparent cause.
The identified saline products were in use across seven Queensland Health services and have subsequently been removed, Ms Fentiman said.
Queensland’s chief health officer will provide an update on Tuesday.
Source: AAP
