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Lake Villa woman dies from Elizabethkingia bacteria

The first confirmed Illinois case of a bacterial infection that has killed 18 people in Wisconsin killed 52-year-old Lake Villa resident Kimberly Cencula, CBS reported Tuesday.

It is unknown how Cencula contracted the bacteria, CBS reported.

While Elizabethkingia anophelis is common in water and soil, it rarely causes infections, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health website. Most people who have contracted infections from Elizabethkingia are older than 65 and have underlying health conditions.

“The bacteria can be found in the environment, and it doesn't typically impact healthy people,” Illinois Department of Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said.

Wisconsin has a total of 57 confirmed cases of the infection, and Michigan has one confirmed death from the infection, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“Illinois is working closely with the CDC and Wisconsin and Michigan health officials to investigate this outbreak and develop ways to prevent additional infections,” said Illinois Department of Health Director Nirav Shah. “IDPH will continue to coordinate with hospitals and health care providers to quickly identify and report cases of Elizabethkingia.”

A majority of the cases involve bloodstream infections, but infections in some people who have contracted the bacteria have been found in their respiratory system or joints.

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