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Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394 |
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For Immediate Release
May 9, 2006 |
Contact: CDC Media Relations
(404)-639-3286 |
Fusarium Keratitis Update
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is continuing its
investigation on the multi-state outbreak of Fusarium keratitis
that may be associated with contact lens use.
As of May 9, 2006, CDC has received reports of 106 confirmed cases, 12
possible cases and 80 cases still under investigation from 33 U.S. states
and territories. 69 reports include insufficient evidence to classify them
as cases or carry other non-Fusarium diagnoses. States or territories with at least 1
confirmed or possible case include: AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, KS, KY, LA,
MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, ND, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, PR, TN, TX and VT. States where
all cases under investigation include: IN, MN, MS, NV, OR and RI.
Not all data are available for all confirmed cases. However, as of May
9, 2006, of the 98 confirmed cases for which CDC has complete data:
- 5 (5%) did not wear contact lenses (no solution used)
- 93 (95%) wore contact lenses
- 59 (66%) reported using any B&L ReNu with MoistureLoc
- 19 (21%) reported using any B&L ReNu MultiPlus
- 9 (10%) reported using any unspecified B&L ReNu
- 3 (3%) reported using any AMO product
- 4 (4%) reported using any Alcon product
* Some cases reported using more than one type of solution and therefore
the solution categories are not mutually exclusive.
(Note: Updated case count numbers will be available on Tuesdays and
Fridays. Updated numbers on solution use and other pertinent exposures
will be available on Tuesdays.)
Summary and Clarifications
In addition, CDC would like to clarify some of the information that has
appeared in a number of recent media stories on the outbreak. The
following information is known related to this outbreak:
- Since the first report on this outbreak in the April 10, 2006 Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), CDC has noted that patients
have reported using multiple products, including those manufactured
by Bausch & Lomb, Alcon, and Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.
- At this point, it is too early in the investigation to say whether a
particular product or solution may be responsible for the outbreak.
- Throughout the investigation, the proportion of patients who reported
using Bausch & Lomb’s ReNu with MoistureLoc has remained relatively
consistent, at around 50-60 percent of confirmed cases.
- Since solution bottles were often not available to investigators, reported
solution usually reflects patient recall of specific product used during
the 30 days before infection. No inferences about causes of infection
should be made until additional analyses are completed.
- ReNu with MoistureLoc was used by approximately 2.3 million contact
lens wearers in the United States, while MultiPlus was used by nearly
11 million contact lens wearers (branded or private label).
- Fusarium keratitis is naturally occurring disease in the United
States. It is not a disease that healthcare providers must report so it
is unclear how many cases occur each year in the United States.
- Disease outbreaks and increased media coverage often raise awareness
about particular infections, which, in turn, may 1) increase reports of
a disease and 2) result in additional information being identified and
collected. Thus, it is possible that some of the cases currently
being investigated represent infection which might normally occur and,
as a result, are not related to the outbreak.
- The risk of getting fungal keratitis from contact lenses remains extremely
low. Contact lens wearers who experience unusual redness, pain, tearing,
light sensitivity, blurry vision, discharge or swelling should consult
their doctor immediately.
CDC is continuing its investigation into identifying whether there are
specific factors that may have placed people at risk for developing fungal
keratitis, including hygiene practices, overnight contact lens wear and
specific solutions used. The CDC will provide more information as it becomes
available.
For more information on fungal keratitis and advice to doctors and consumers,
please visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/fungal_fusariumKeratitis.html or http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/contacts.html.
May 5, 2006 Update
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