SUPER BUG KILLS DOZENS IN ISRAELI HOSPITALS

Super bug kills dozens in hospitals across country (YNet)
Virulent stain of bacteria believed to be cause of death of 120-200 patients in hospitals. Experts explain most of those infected were already suffering from prior medical conditions. Health ministry says outbreak was kept secret to avoid mass panic

A deadly bacterium known as Klebsiella pneumoniae is believed to have killed some 120-200 patients in hospitals across the country. "Between 400 to 500 people have been infected by the bug, and 30 to 40 percent of them have already died. However, it is important to note that most of them were in a serious condition, and some were suffering from prior medical conditions," said Prof. Yehuda Carmeli, the head of the epidemiology unit at the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv.

According to Carmeli, most of those infected have been hospitalized for over 25 days, and their average age stood at 74-75. The virulent stain of bacteria is resistant to all kinds of antibiotics, and has already spread in many hospitals across Israel.