February 8, 2023
Posted by: OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers
The CDC has issued a Health Alert Network advisory warning of an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria that has infected at least 55 people in 12 states, most of whom had reported using artificial tears products. The majority of the patients who reported using artificial tears reported using a specific brand: EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product, and CDC testing found the outbreak strain in opened bottles of the product from different lots in two different states.
The infections took a variety of forms, including keratitis, endophthalmitis, respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, and sepsis. Patients suffered injuries including permanent vision loss and even one death from a systemic infection.
CDC recommends that everyone immediately discontinue using EzriCare Artificial Tears pending additional guidance from public health authorities.
The Outbreak Lawyers at OFT Law are actively investigating this outbreak. If you or a loved one has become infected with Pseudomonas after using artificial tears, please contact us for a free consultation about whether you may have a claim for compensation.
