The death toll has climbed from an outbreak of a drug-resistant bacteria linked to recalled eye drops, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday.
According to the CDC, two more people have died from an infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a drug-resistant bacteria that had never been reported in the U.S. before.
Of the 68 people in 16 states that have been identified with the bacteria, eight people have lost their vision and four have had their eyeballs removed, according to the CDC’s update.
One death has been reported in a Washington state man.
The 16 states where the bacteria has been found are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
At this time, the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommend patients stop using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears products.
Three eye products, all imported from India, have been recalled. Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited produces the eye drops.
The drops were purchased online and at retailers, the CDC said.