Health Officials Investigate Former Model's Death from Elizabethkingia Bacteria

Photo credit: Kimberly C. Cencula obituary/Ringa Funeral Home

Local, state and federal officials are investigating the death of a 52-year-old Lake Villa woman, which has been linked to the mysterious Elizabethkingia bacteria.

Kimberly Cencula was the first person in Illinois who health officials have confirmed contracted and died from the bacterial infection called Elizabethkingia, CBS Chicago reports. The infection has killed at least 18 in Wisconsin and one in Michigan. Cencula, who spent her younger years as a model in New York and Hollywood, died on March 29, according to her obituary.

>>> RELATED: 1st Illinoisan to Die of Elizabethkingia Bacteria ID'd as Lake Villa Woman

Elizabethkingia is a common organism in the water and soil but it rarely causes infections, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health website. The majority of the infections identified to date in the outbreak have been bloodstream infections, but some patients have had Elizabethkingia isolated from other sites, such as their respiratory systems or joints.

“Illinois is working closely with the CDC and Wisconsin and Michigan health officials to investigate this outbreak and develop ways to prevent additional infections,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “IDPH will continue to coordinate with hospitals and health care providers to quickly identify and report cases of Elizabethkingia.”

The majority of the patients who contracted Elizabethkingia infections as part of this outbreak are over 65 years of age, and all have had underlying health conditions, according to the IDPH. It has not yet been determined whether the deaths associated with this outbreak were caused by the bacterial infection, the patients’ underlying health conditions or both.

Cencula's death is being investigated but details regarding what might have caused her death could not be released since it is considered private medical information, Lake County Health Department spokeswoman Leslie Piotrowski told the Daily Herald.

Melaney Arnold, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health, said IDPH is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to investigate the outbreak. But sometimes, finding the source of an illness is not always possible, Arnold told the Daily Herald.

"Investigations of outbreaks typically include collecting environmental samples to test for bacteria, talking with family and friends, lengthy questionnaires, and collection and review of medical records," Arnold said.

Cencula's funeral was held earlier this month in Lake Villa. She is being remembered as an avid gardener and a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother who had a heart of gold and always had a beautiful smile on her face, according to her obituary. She was an animal-lover who also enjoyed going on cruises with her husband.

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