ATLANTA — Editor's note: The video above is from previous coverage.
After over a week, the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center said it could open its operating rooms following a phorid and moth fly infestation.
According to the VA, the operating room opened on Monday following a 10-day closure that had affected 226 patients at the time of closure. It was reported that about 2-3 flies were detected daily.
"The temporary closure was necessitated by the intermittent presence of flying insects, prompting the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Atlanta VA Medical Center to prioritize patient safety above all else," the VA said in part.
The VA said veterans were rescheduled for surgeries or referred to community care options based on their preferences and availability.
More on the health risks
Phorid flies, also known as humpbacked flies, are particularly concerning in healthcare settings. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, these insects can transmit diseases, posing a significant risk to patients, especially those with weakened immune systems.
Moth flies, or drain flies, are known to trigger bronchial asthma in susceptible individuals. Orkin Canada reports that the larvae of these flies can cause myiasis, a parasitic infestation where the larvae grow inside human tissue, further highlighting the potential health risks.
Mentzer said no negative health impacts have been reported related to the flies' presence, but VA leadership wanted to exercise caution.
"We don't want our patients to come in and get a surgery and then find themselves with an infection that we could have avoided," he said.