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E. coli baby deaths investigated in Swansea | E. coli baby deaths investigated in Swansea |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Investigations are continuing at a Swansea hospital after two babies died after an E. coli infection. | Investigations are continuing at a Swansea hospital after two babies died after an E. coli infection. |
One was a five-day-old baby, Hope Erin Evans from Aberdare, who died after contracting ESBL E. coli at the city's Singleton Hospital. | One was a five-day-old baby, Hope Erin Evans from Aberdare, who died after contracting ESBL E. coli at the city's Singleton Hospital. |
Another very premature baby died after contracting the infection at the hospital. | Another very premature baby died after contracting the infection at the hospital. |
Health officials said there was no evidence the infection had spread any further. | Health officials said there was no evidence the infection had spread any further. |
The cases are believed to be linked and the investigation will include how the cross-infection occurred. | The cases are believed to be linked and the investigation will include how the cross-infection occurred. |
An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of Hope Erin Evans, who died at the hospital on 4 November. | An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of Hope Erin Evans, who died at the hospital on 4 November. |
The other baby - described as "very premature" - contracted the infection while at the hospital. | |
Three other non-fatal cases have been confirmed but Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University Health Board said they appeared to be isolated incidents. | Three other non-fatal cases have been confirmed but Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University Health Board said they appeared to be isolated incidents. |
ESBL (extended-spectrum beta-lactamase) producing E. coli are strains of E.coli that are resistant to antibiotics, making them difficult to treat. | ESBL (extended-spectrum beta-lactamase) producing E. coli are strains of E.coli that are resistant to antibiotics, making them difficult to treat. |
In many cases, only two types of antibiotic taken by mouth and a "very limited" group of intravenous antibiotics are effective, according to information from the Health Protection Agency (HPA). | In many cases, only two types of antibiotic taken by mouth and a "very limited" group of intravenous antibiotics are effective, according to information from the Health Protection Agency (HPA). |
E. coli can lead to serious infections such as meningitis and blood poisoning, which can be life threatening. | E. coli can lead to serious infections such as meningitis and blood poisoning, which can be life threatening. |
'Difficult to eradicate' | 'Difficult to eradicate' |
Only full-term babies are now being accepted at the hospital. | Only full-term babies are now being accepted at the hospital. |
As a precaution, the unit has undergone a deep clean. | As a precaution, the unit has undergone a deep clean. |
Microbiologist Prof Hugh Pennington told BBC Radio Wales ESBL E. coli caused problems for young babies because their immune systems were not well-developed. | Microbiologist Prof Hugh Pennington told BBC Radio Wales ESBL E. coli caused problems for young babies because their immune systems were not well-developed. |
He said he believed the hospital was taking the right steps to try to deal with the outbreak. | He said he believed the hospital was taking the right steps to try to deal with the outbreak. |
"These bugs . . . are really quite good at getting about and once they get into something like a neonatal unit, history tells us with other related bugs they can be really quite difficult to eradicate," he said. | "These bugs . . . are really quite good at getting about and once they get into something like a neonatal unit, history tells us with other related bugs they can be really quite difficult to eradicate," he said. |
"I'm sure that the people at Singleton are doing their utmost to make sure that there aren't any problems. | "I'm sure that the people at Singleton are doing their utmost to make sure that there aren't any problems. |
"They have restricted admission to the very young babies because they are the ones really at risk from this particular nasty bug. It's a very reasonable approach to take." | "They have restricted admission to the very young babies because they are the ones really at risk from this particular nasty bug. It's a very reasonable approach to take." |
'Isolated incidents' | 'Isolated incidents' |
The health board's medical director Dr Bruce Ferguson reassured expectant mothers due to give birth in Singleton Hospital that the maternity unit is open as usual for full-term births. | The health board's medical director Dr Bruce Ferguson reassured expectant mothers due to give birth in Singleton Hospital that the maternity unit is open as usual for full-term births. |
As a precaution, the health board has temporarily restricted the neonatal unit to admissions for babies of 36 weeks gestation, or longer. | As a precaution, the health board has temporarily restricted the neonatal unit to admissions for babies of 36 weeks gestation, or longer. |
"These appear to be isolated incidents which have been contained, and there is no evidence of the infection spreading further," Dr Ferguson added. | "These appear to be isolated incidents which have been contained, and there is no evidence of the infection spreading further," Dr Ferguson added. |
"Checks have been taken of patients, equipment and areas in the maternity/neonatal unit and no evidence of ESBL E. coli has been found. | "Checks have been taken of patients, equipment and areas in the maternity/neonatal unit and no evidence of ESBL E. coli has been found. |
"The unit has an excellent record for hand-hygiene and general infection control adherence. Reported infection levels in the unit have been below the national average in recent years." | "The unit has an excellent record for hand-hygiene and general infection control adherence. Reported infection levels in the unit have been below the national average in recent years." |
The health board said any mothers-to-be who have concerns or questions should speak to their community midwife in the first place. In addition a help line has also been set up: 07747 615627. | The health board said any mothers-to-be who have concerns or questions should speak to their community midwife in the first place. In addition a help line has also been set up: 07747 615627. |