enterococco fecalis infection

I work in cardiac surgery. We operated on a patient last July for double valve replacements (mitral and aortic). He recovered well, went back to work and then in December came down with flu like symptoms. It wasn't until a week ago he was recovered and was found to have a +blood culture for enterocco fecalis. Could this bacteria been transmitted in the OR and have taken months for the symptoms to show?

thanks in advance!!!