158 employees at Seattle hospital potentially exposed to dangerous bacteria

The exposure occurred in an operating room and a laboratory in late June


Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Wash., has confirmed that 158 employees are receiving medical attention after a potential exposure to brucella, a bacteria that can cause brucellosis, according to an article on the KIRO7 website.

The exposure occurred in an operating room and a laboratory at in late June. 

A patient was transferred from another hospital for an urgent operation. Later tests revealed that person had brucellosis. 

On June 25, a lab worker dropped a test tube with the brucella bacteria in it, potentially exposing lab workers.

Read the article.



August 2, 2019


Topic Area: Infection Control

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