Mold At Seattle Children’s Hospital Caused One Death, Five Others Infected

Seattle Children’s Hospital in Washington revealed on Tuesday that a patient died and five others were infected by a dangerous mold. This is the same mold infection that had forced the hospital authorities to shut down all its main operating rooms in May.

While the deceased and two other patients became ill last year, the other three patients developed Aspergillus infections earlier this year, the hospital’s public-relations manager Alyse Bernal told The Seattle Times.

“The six patients who developed Aspergillus infections were at higher risk of infection due to the types of procedures they had. We are deeply saddened that one of these patients died,” Bernal told the publication.

Aspergillus infection is caused due to a type of common mold, which is found in the air. Here is how the illness is described on the hospital website:

Aspergillus is a common type of mold found in the environment and the air we breathe, both indoors and outside. In most cases, it does not cause health problems.

Infections from Aspergillus are not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another. However, if Aspergillus is present in an operating room, there is a small chance it could cause a surgical site infection.

The Children’s hospital had closed down all its major operating rooms in May due to the detection of this mold in the air. According to a statement released by the hospital, the patients are not at risk of this infection.

People with lung diseases or weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing Aspergillosis, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some of the most common health problems caused due to this infection are lung infections and allergic reactions.

The hospital is currently working with several industrial hygienists to make the rooms free of Aspergillus contamination. Bernal said the mold is believed to be present in the gaps in air filtration.

“We are systematically implementing improvements and corrective actions, and then retesting the air to validate our efforts have been effective. It is difficult to predict when we will be able to safely resume operations but our patients' safety is our priority and we will reopen our operating rooms when we are confident they are safe for patient care,” Bernal said.