Bacterial infection suspected in deaths of four at Pennsylvania hospital - CNN

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stopped short of directly linking the deaths to the infection, as all four for of the patients had underlying medical conditions. But the hospital acknowledged that the infection probably was a contributing factor.

NTM is a naturally occurring bacterium found in soil and water, including, sometimes, tap water. People become infected by inhaling the bacteria, according to the American Lung Association. Most people do not become ill, although those with weakened immune systems are at risk. This can include someone recovering from an invasive procedure. The result is a pulmonary illness that can take more than a year of antibiotic treatment to cure.

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