Deadly bacteria outbreak linked to eye drops imported from India

ONE person has died and dozens more have been infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in an outbreak that has been linked to eye drops from India.

Health officials said at least 52 people had been infected by the burkholderia cepacia bacteria, which has been traced back to three separate lubricating eye drops.

The bacteria is known as a superbug because it is resistant to antibiotics, which makes it much more difficult to treat and potentially fatal in people with weakened immune systems.

One person is confirmed to have died from the outbreak, but no details have been made public.

There have been 52 confirmed cases and six probable cases, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), with the youngest affecting a baby and the eldest a 91-year-old.

In 25 cases there were “clinically significant infections” according to UKHSA, while 11 people suffered eye infections, which included ulcers on their eyeball, conjunctivitis or serious “deep tissue infections”. Nine patients developed respiratory infections and four more had blood poisoning.

The health authority issued a product recall for the three products manufactured by Indiana Ophthalmics last November, when it is understood most cases occurred.

Officials now believe the outbreak is over, although cases continued to emerge until February this year.

It is thought various batches of Aacarb, Aacomer and Puroptics branded carbomer eye gels were affected.

The products are usually given to patients suffering from dry eyes, but they can also be bought online for as little as £4.50.

The vast majority of patients were being treated in hospital for a separate issue when they were given the eyedrops by staff who were unaware the products were contaminated.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency says it has now received “sufficient assurance from manufacturers and suppliers to conclude that products in the UK are safe to use and free of contamination”.