MONO COUNTY, Calif. (FEBRUARY 06, 2023) – On February 1, 2023, The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory  about infections with an extensively drug-resistant strain of Verona Integron-mediated Metallo-β-lactamase (VIM) and Guiana-Extended Spectrum-β-Lactamase (GES)-producing carbapenem- resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM-GES-CRPA) in 12 states.

Most patients reported using artificial tears. Patients reported more than 10 different brands of artificial tears, and somepatients used multiple brands.

The majority of patients who used artificial tears reported using EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multidose bottles. CDC laboratory
testing identified the presence of the outbreak strain in opened EzriCare bottles with different lot numbers collected from two states. The CDC is urging patients and healthcare providers to
immediately discontinue using EzriCare artificial tears pending additional guidance from the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Recommendations For the Public
• Discontinue using EzriCare Artificial Tears pending additional guidance.
• If patients were advised to use EzriCare Artificial Tears by their healthcare provider, they
should follow up with their healthcare provider for an alternative artificial tears product
to use.
• Patients who used EzriCare Artificial Tears and who have signs or symptoms of an eye
infection, such as discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness of the eye or
eyelid, feeling of something in the eye, increased sensitivity to light, or blurry vision,
should seek timely medical care. At this time, CDC does not recommend testing of
patients who have used this product and who are not experiencing any signs or symptoms
of infection.

Additional details can be accessed here. For more information, questions, or concerns, please
call Mono County Public Health at (760) 924-1830 or follow up with your pediatrician or
medical provider.