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Sink taps source of infection that killed three babies | Sink taps source of infection that killed three babies |
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Sink taps were the source of an infection which killed three babies at a Belfast hospital, the Northern Ireland health minister has confirmed. | Sink taps were the source of an infection which killed three babies at a Belfast hospital, the Northern Ireland health minister has confirmed. |
Edwin Poots told the NI Assembly that the Pseudomonas bacteria had been traced to taps at a neo-natal unit in the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital. | Edwin Poots told the NI Assembly that the Pseudomonas bacteria had been traced to taps at a neo-natal unit in the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital. |
The unit was deep cleaned at the weekend after six babies were found to be infected. | The unit was deep cleaned at the weekend after six babies were found to be infected. |
Three babies died as a result of the infection earlier this month. | Three babies died as a result of the infection earlier this month. |
A seventh case emerged on Tuesday. | A seventh case emerged on Tuesday. |
"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 Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital," Mr Poots told the assembly on Tuesday. | |
"The Trust Health Estates team are in the process of removing and replacing all taps and related pipe work in the affected area." | |
The health minister stressed that there was no evidence that the bacterium was in the water system. | |
He said the trust had taken specialist advice from England and work would be carried out over the next few weeks to ensure the environment was safe. | |
"The unit will only be opened once all remedial work is completed and tests show that it is safe to nurse babies in this environment," he added. | |
So far seven babies have been infected; three died, two recovered, one recovered but later died from unrelated causes and one has pneumonia and is potentially infected. | So far seven babies have been infected; three died, two recovered, one recovered but later died from unrelated causes and one has pneumonia and is potentially infected. |
Six other babies are carrying the bacteria on their skin, but are not infected. | Six other babies are carrying the bacteria on their skin, but are not infected. |
"The circumstances surrounding this are complex and there is considerable detective work involved," Mr Poots said. | "The circumstances surrounding this are complex and there is considerable detective work involved," Mr Poots said. |
"Our neo-natal network is managing well and well-established arrangements are in place. | "Our neo-natal network is managing well and well-established arrangements are in place. |
"My priority is to manage the outbreak which is a complex and dynamic situation." | "My priority is to manage the outbreak which is a complex and dynamic situation." |
Earlier on Tuesday, the BBC learned that the Western Health Trust dealt with three cases of the pseudomonas infection before last Christmas. | Earlier on Tuesday, the BBC learned that the Western Health Trust dealt with three cases of the pseudomonas infection before last Christmas. |
One baby being treated in Altnagelvin's neo-natal unit died, while another made a full recovery. | One baby being treated in Altnagelvin's neo-natal unit died, while another made a full recovery. |
A third was transferred to the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast. | A third was transferred to the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast. |
All three infants had a different strain of the infection that is currently being investigated at the Royal Maternity's neo-natal unit. | All three infants had a different strain of the infection that is currently being investigated at the Royal Maternity's neo-natal unit. |
It has been confirmed that sink taps were the source of the infection at Altnagelvin. | It has been confirmed that sink taps were the source of the infection at Altnagelvin. |
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is found widely in soil and stagnant water. It does not usually cause illness in healthy people but can pose a serious threat to people with weak immune systems. | Pseudomonas aeruginosa is found widely in soil and stagnant water. It does not usually cause illness in healthy people but can pose a serious threat to people with weak immune systems. |
Have you been affected by any of the issues raised in this story? Contact BBC News with your comments and experiences using the form below. | Have you been affected by any of the issues raised in this story? Contact BBC News with your comments and experiences using the form below. |