This rare disease was discovered 11 years ago and not much is known about it
Name
Elizabethkingia (named after Elizabeth O. King, the scientist who discovered the bacteria in 2005)
Transmission
- Elizabethkingia anophelis is a type of bacteria usually found in the environment (soil and water) and also in mosquitoes
- The illness associated with this bacteria is rare as it does not usually infect humans
- The majority of people infected around the world are more than 65 years old and have a history of at least one underlying serious illness
- The exact transmission route is unknown
- It is suspected that humans can be infected via mosquitoes and there is also the possibility that mothers can pass the bacteria to neonates and infants
Geography
- Worldwide
- Most cases and outbreaks have been very localized, but between December 2015 and June 2016 the US has seen an outbreak across several states which has resulted in 65 cases and 20 deaths
Incubation Period
Unknown
Signs and Symptoms
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Swollen, painful, red skin (bacterial infection called cellulitis)
Diagnosis
Culture of body fluids and blood testing can diagnose the disease
Treatment
Elizabethkingia is resistant to many antibiotics but there are several antibiotics that can treat the bacteria
Prognosis
- Usually causes meningitis in newborn babies and meningitis or bloodstream and respiratory infections in people with weakened immune systems
- Though it can be deadly, early treatment improves patient outcomes
Prevention: What Can You Do?
- Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the above symptoms, especially if you already have another medical condition
Elizabethkingia In the News
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/elizabethkingia/
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/elizabethkingia.htm