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Heparin syringes linked to 40 blood infections

CHICAGO

Federal health officials said Tuesday that they are investigating about 40 cases of blood infections in Illinois and Texas that have been linked to medical syringes contaminated with bacteria. No deaths were reported. Syringes from the same batch were also sent to Florida, Colorado and Pennsylvania, but no infections have been reported in those states, said Dr. Arjun Srinivasan of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A bacteria called Serratia marcescens (pronounced Sur-AY'-she-uh mar-SUH'-sens) was found in syringes made in Angier, N.C., by a company called Sierra Pre-Filled. The infections, which can cause fever and chills, generally respond well to antibiotics. The syringes contained the blood thinner heparin. Patients who think they used affected syringes should contact their doctors, Srinivasan said.

NEW YORK

Opening of Sept. 11 memorial delayed

The Sept. 11 memorial complex won't be done until the 10th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, two years later than originally planned, officials said Tuesday. The "Reflecting Absence" memorial, which sets two waterfall-filled pools above the World Trade Center tower footprints in a plaza of cobblestones and oak trees, would open in 2010, and an accompanying museum would open in 2011, said Steve Plate, who oversees the trade center site for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The new time line reflected a more realistic schedule that became clear after construction began, agency spokeswoman Candace McAdams said. The opening of the 1,776-foot-tall Freedom Tower has already been pushed back to 2012 because of a redesign, and a winged dome that is part of a transit hub is expected to open in 2011.

[Last modified December 19, 2007, 01:30:02]