Blue Hill Care Center seems to be moving past the salmonella outbreak that started about two weeks ago and may have sickened at least 17 people.
It may also have led to -- or contributed to -- at least one death as well.
Initial fears that the bacterium involved at the 62-bed Blue Hill Care Center might be a Newport strain resistant to a broad range of antibiotics were receding by Thursday afternoon, said Michele Bever, executive director of the South Heartland District Health Department in Hastings.
“We have not formally declared it over, but we’ve not had any additional cases recently,” she said.
Bever did not name the person who died, but said the person had other medical issues as well.
“So, at this point, we don’t know if salmonella contributed to that person’s death,” she said.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services still was working toward a final determination on the effectiveness of antibiotics against the bacterial strain Thursday.
“What we can probably say right now, from the test results we’ve seen so far, is that the salmonella appears to be susceptible to antibiotics,” Bever said.
Leah Bucco-White, spokesperson for HHS said state officials are working with South Heartland, which includes the counties of Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster, to identify the cause of the outbreak.
“We had 17 confirmed illnesses out there,” Bucco-White said. “And I think initially the word was that there were two additional probable cases. And we’ve gotten the testing back on those, and it was negative.”
Sheila Huskey, administrator at Blue Hill Care Center, directed inquiries to its owner, Five Star Quality Care Inc. in Newton, Mass.
Associate General Counsel Lisa J. Cooney responded with a prepared statement Thursday.
“Beginning about two weeks ago,” Cooney said, “individuals at our community began showing signs and symptoms of Salmonellosis. Prior to this recent issue, the community has not had any prior incidents of Salmonellosis in its residents or staff.
“We have taken prompt and thorough action in implementing all disinfection and sanitation protocols (and) ... we feel the matter is under control.”
Bucco-White said a final determination on the bacterium involved probably would not be available for several more days.
Bever said one person was still hospitalized as of Wednesday, but there have been no new hospitalizations in the past few days.
It may also have led to -- or contributed to -- at least one death as well.
Initial fears that the bacterium involved at the 62-bed Blue Hill Care Center might be a Newport strain resistant to a broad range of antibiotics were receding by Thursday afternoon, said Michele Bever, executive director of the South Heartland District Health Department in Hastings.
“We have not formally declared it over, but we’ve not had any additional cases recently,” she said.
Bever did not name the person who died, but said the person had other medical issues as well.
“So, at this point, we don’t know if salmonella contributed to that person’s death,” she said.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services still was working toward a final determination on the effectiveness of antibiotics against the bacterial strain Thursday.
“What we can probably say right now, from the test results we’ve seen so far, is that the salmonella appears to be susceptible to antibiotics,” Bever said.
Leah Bucco-White, spokesperson for HHS said state officials are working with South Heartland, which includes the counties of Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster, to identify the cause of the outbreak.
“We had 17 confirmed illnesses out there,” Bucco-White said. “And I think initially the word was that there were two additional probable cases. And we’ve gotten the testing back on those, and it was negative.”
Sheila Huskey, administrator at Blue Hill Care Center, directed inquiries to its owner, Five Star Quality Care Inc. in Newton, Mass.
Associate General Counsel Lisa J. Cooney responded with a prepared statement Thursday.
“Beginning about two weeks ago,” Cooney said, “individuals at our community began showing signs and symptoms of Salmonellosis. Prior to this recent issue, the community has not had any prior incidents of Salmonellosis in its residents or staff.
“We have taken prompt and thorough action in implementing all disinfection and sanitation protocols (and) ... we feel the matter is under control.”
Bucco-White said a final determination on the bacterium involved probably would not be available for several more days.
Bever said one person was still hospitalized as of Wednesday, but there have been no new hospitalizations in the past few days.
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