Injection drug use leads to serious blood infection surge at Vt. hospital

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BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A new investigation shows serious blood infections are way up among patients at the UVM Medical Center.

The probe revealed a 900% increase in those infections among patients treated over the last two years. The hospital found 70% of those infected were current or previous drug users, many experiencing homelessness. Most had major skin and tissue wounds.

Hospital staffers say xylazine, an animal tranquilizer appearing in an increasing number of fatal overdoses, could be to blame.

"We suspect that xylazine is playing a role in this increase in these types of infections by creating these wounds which then allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream," said Monica Raymond, an infection preventionist at the UVM Medical Center.

The hospital says addressing homelessness and drug addiction are long-term solutions. More immediate measures include giving out more xylazine test strips and boosting access to proper hygiene and wound care among Vermonters experiencing homelessness.

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