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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 but died in the community. 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.