Pathogen Pulse: Facilities Need the SPD, Yersinia Enterocolitica Outbreak, and More

Pathogen Pulse

Infection prevention is not just a checklist—it is the backbone of patient safety. A series of recent investigations and outbreaks across North America and Europe underscore the critical role of sterilization, surveillance, and swift reporting in preventing harm. From a complaint investigation into a sterile processing department (SPD) in Colorado, to a deadly pathogen linked to raw milk cheese in France, and a prolonged neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) outbreak in Virginia, these cases highlight systemic vulnerabilities with consequences for the most vulnerable patients. Meanwhile, Canada’s escalating measles outbreak, fueled by vaccine hesitancy, demonstrates how public trust and public health can erode without vigilance.

A Case in Point: Why the SPD Is Vital

Highlighting precisely why the SPD is vital to the rest of the hospital, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has launched a complaint investigation at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus, focusing on the facility’s SPD. According to UCHealth spokesperson Dan Weaver, the SPD is operating at reduced capacity, prompting the hospital to bolster staffing to normalize the volume of sterilized surgical instruments.

9News in Denver reported that while urgent and emergent procedures continue, some elective surgeries are being postponed to ensure the availability of necessary instruments. Weaver emphasized the hospital’s collaboration with CDPHE to maintain patient safety and expressed regret over any delays in care. The CDPHE confirmed that the investigation is following a public concern, noting that while details cannot be released during the active inquiry, the findings will be made public upon completion via the agency’s online inspection report database.

Yersinia Enterocolitica Outbreak

A major Yersinia enterocolitica outbreak in France has been linked to unpasteurized soft goat’s milk cheese, sickening 175 people across 12 regions between January and August 2024, with additional cases reported in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Norway, according to Food Safety News. The outbreak was traced to a single cheese producer and a supplier farm, prompting a product recall and a shift to pasteurized milk until sanitation and testing measures were implemented. Although early inspections found no regulatory violations, samples from the dairy and the farm revealed the presence of the pathogen, raising concerns about the sensitivity of detection and the ongoing risks associated with raw milk products. Scientists emphasized the need for more reliable, rapid testing methods to prevent future outbreaks.

Three-Year MRSA Outbreak Infected 94 Children in NICU

A Virginia mother is speaking out after learning her premature daughter was 1 of 94 infants infected during a prolonged MRSA outbreak in the NICU at Henrico Doctors' Hospital. Shawnphyl Chambers’ daughter, Yayonni, contracted MRSA in late 2022, prompting Chambers to transfer her to another facility. Chambers initially believed her case was isolated until CBS 6 in Richmond, Virginia, revealed that hospital staff had informed state inspectors of a 3-year MRSA outbreak, a highly unusual duration for NICU settings.

State health officials confirmed the outbreak was not reported until years into its spread, raising concerns about delayed response and inadequate infection control. During a survey conducted on January 24, 2025, inspectors from the Virginia Department of Health's (VDH) Office of Licensure and Certification found that the hospital did not consistently implement methods to prevent and control the transmission of infections within the facility.

Despite eventual intervention from the VDH and CDC experts, including site visits and recommendations, the hospital was not cited for deficiencies until late 2024 and early 2025. Chambers criticized both the hospital and regulators for failing to act sooner to protect already vulnerable infants. Henrico Doctors’ Hospital said it complied with reporting requirements and that the outbreak has since been declared closed by state officials.

Measles Hits Canada Even Harder than the US

Canada is experiencing a surge in measles cases, reporting 3,822 infections in 2025—nearly triple the US total—despite its much smaller population, with 86% of Canadian cases occurring among unvaccinated individuals. The outbreak, initially traced to a wedding in New Brunswick, has disproportionately affected cultural and religious communities like the Mennonites, where mistrust of government has led to vaccine hesitancy.

While Ontario’s situation is improving, Alberta has become the new hotspot, reporting over half of the country’s recent weekly cases. In contrast, the US measles case count is declining but remains the highest in decades, driven by pandemic-era vaccine resistance and an increase in exemption filings. Public health experts in both nations warn that declining vaccination rates could jeopardize the eradication status of measles but also see a potential silver lining: the outbreak’s visible impact may renew public trust in vaccines and highlight their vital role in disease prevention. Concerned citizens can follow the Canadian outbreak through the Measles and Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report.