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25/01/2012
Hospitals To Screen For Killer Infection
Neo-natal units that received babies from two hospitals since December are set to screen for the infection that has recently killed four infants.
The outbreak of a dangerous bacterium called pseudomonas aeruginosa has been linked to the deaths of the four babies. The first baby died from the infection in December while another died on January 6, 2012, with the third death coming a week later. Meanwhile the fourth death was confirmed only last Friday.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) said it was possible that more babies could be found to have the infection and have urged the Royal Maternity Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital to screen babies for the infection.
Yesterday the killer infection was traced to taps in The Royal Maternity Hospital, where three of the babies died. Another died in Altnagelvin in December.
NI Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "I can report that investigations so far have shown that pseudomonas bacteria have been found in a number of taps in the intensive care area of the neonatal unit in the RJMH. The Trust Health Estates team are in the process of removing and replacing all taps and related pipework in the affected area. There is no evidence of pseudomonas in the water system. This indicates that it is likely to be a localised problem."
It is understood the bacteria can cause infections in the chest, blood, and urine. This is not a common infection but it can be treated with the right antibiotics.
(LB)
The outbreak of a dangerous bacterium called pseudomonas aeruginosa has been linked to the deaths of the four babies. The first baby died from the infection in December while another died on January 6, 2012, with the third death coming a week later. Meanwhile the fourth death was confirmed only last Friday.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) said it was possible that more babies could be found to have the infection and have urged the Royal Maternity Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital to screen babies for the infection.
Yesterday the killer infection was traced to taps in The Royal Maternity Hospital, where three of the babies died. Another died in Altnagelvin in December.
NI Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "I can report that investigations so far have shown that pseudomonas bacteria have been found in a number of taps in the intensive care area of the neonatal unit in the RJMH. The Trust Health Estates team are in the process of removing and replacing all taps and related pipework in the affected area. There is no evidence of pseudomonas in the water system. This indicates that it is likely to be a localised problem."
It is understood the bacteria can cause infections in the chest, blood, and urine. This is not a common infection but it can be treated with the right antibiotics.
(LB)
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