The Santa Fe Provincial Department of Health reports that six cases of pneumonia confirmed by staff in the intensive care unit of the Nuevo Ituraspe Hospital in Santa Fe are progressing well and four of them have been discharged. Currently, two people are still hospitalized in the hospital: one is in the general ward and the other is in the intensive care unit (ICU), with mechanical respiratory assistance, and his condition is progressing well.
The patient was diagnosed on February 29; staff in various hospital service departments quickly learned about the situation and took actions to control the epidemic. No new cases have been detected so far.
Epidemiological Investigation
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.
Among the samples analyzed by the central laboratory of the province and the National Agency for Laboratories and Health Institutions (ANLIS), “Dr. Carlos Malbrán from Buenos Aires, a case of COVID-19 was detected. A case of pneumonia and a case of psittacosis, both patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. Diagnostic analysis is continuing, taking into account that new samples may be needed to arrive. The patients were treated with antimicrobial drugs suitable for the bacteria found.
Psittacosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci. It is transmitted to humans through contact with birds, inhalation of airborne respiratory secretions, dried feces, or bird feather particles. The main spreaders are parrot birds of the family Psittacidae, but canaries, pigeons, and other birds can also spread it. Generally, psittacosis presents as a moderately severe illness with fever, headache, myalgia, and dry cough. Symptoms appear 5 to 14 days after exposure. If treated adequately and promptly, the mortality rate is low.
Environmental samples and prevention
As for the environmental samples sent to the Malbrandt Institute, they have yet to return results.
We are analyzing all cases and their epidemiological background, as well as assessing the hospital’s infrastructure and maintenance to search for possible sources of infection.
Precautionary measures continue in the intensive care unit, with alert guidelines indicating the use of full protective equipment and timely notification of symptoms; as well as restrictions on visits, reduced staff turnover and the entry of new patients into affected areas in this part of the hospital.
Hospital staff are informed every day about the progress of the cases, the preventive measures in place and once the laboratory results are communicated by the Malbran Institute, they communicate with the heads of hospital services in meetings attended by the secretary. Health Department Andrea Uboldi; Provincial Epidemiology Director Carolina Cudós; and Hospital Director Dr. Francisco Sánchez Guerra.