Iturasp pneumonia epidemic: how patients evolve

The Santa Fe Health Department reported that six confirmed cases of pneumonia among staff in the intensive care unit of the capital’s Nuevo Iturasppe hospital are progressing well. Four of them have been discharged from the hospital and two are still hospitalized: one is in the general ward and the other is in the intensive care unit (ICU) with mechanical respiratory assistance and is progressing well.

The diagnosis was confirmed on February 29. Staff in various hospital departments were quickly informed of the situation and took actions to control the epidemic. They have received assurances from the health department that no new cases have been detected so far.

Over these days, we contacted by phone 86 people who worked in the intensive care unit during possible periods of infection, of whom 63 did not show any symptoms of the disease and 20 were or had been sick. Two positive cases of COVID-19 were found among those with symptoms, none of whom showed symptoms of damage to the lower respiratory tract (lungs).

16 people did not answer the call. During the shift, there were no new pneumonia-related patients in the hospital. Laboratory analysis excluded dengue, leptospirosis, hantavirus, mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and respiratory viruses.

One case of COVID-19 and one case of psittacosis were detected in samples analyzed by the Central Laboratory of the province and the National Directorate of Laboratories and Health Institutions of Buenos Aires (ANLIS) “Dr. All are hospitalized patients. In the intensive care unit. Diagnostic analysis is continuing, taking into account that new samples may be needed to arrive. The patient was treated with antimicrobials appropriate to the bacteria found.

Psittacosis is a bacterial disease that is spread to humans through contact with birds and inhalation of airborne respiratory secretions, dried feces, or bird feather particles.