Rare bacteria may have killed San Francisco researcher
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Health officials in San Francisco are trying to figure out how a health researcher contracted a rare strain of bacteria that may have led to his death.
The 25-year-old unnamed researcher at a Veteran's Affairs lab died Saturday morning shortly after asking friends to take him to the hospital.
A health official tells the San Jose Mercury News the man had been handling a bacteria linked to bloodstream infections and they're looking into whether the lab followed safety protocol. Harry Lampiris, chief of the VA Hospital's infectious disease division, says workers at the facility are expected to wear gloves, gowns and do their work behind a protective "safety cabinet" or hood while isolating the bacteria.
Officials say the researcher was working with others in the lab on developing a vaccine for bacteria that causes septicemia and meningitis.
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