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Neo-natal units to screen for pseudomonas bug | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Neo-natal units that received babies from the Royal Maternity and Altnagelvin hospitals since December must screen infants for Pseudomonas. | |
The Public Health Agency (PHA) said it was possible that more babies could be found to have the infection. | |
Three babies have died in January at the Royal Maternity after contracting the infection. Another died in December at Altnagelvin. | |
The PHA said 10 babies currently had the bacteria on their skin. | |
They are being cared for at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, Antrim Area Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital. | |
It is possible to carry the bacteria on the skin and not become infected. | |
On Wednesday, the PHA said prior to the current outbreak there was "no clear rationale for routine pseudomonas screenings". | |
It emerged on Tuesday that sink taps were the source of the infection in the neo-natal unit at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital. | It emerged on Tuesday that sink taps were the source of the infection in the neo-natal unit at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital. |
A case involving a seriously ill child was confirmed as Pseudomonas on Tuesday. | |
Sink taps were also identified as the source of a different strain of the infection which affected three babies at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry before Christmas. One of those infants died. | Sink taps were also identified as the source of a different strain of the infection which affected three babies at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry before Christmas. One of those infants died. |
Ms Gildernew, chair of the assembly's health committee, has now called for taps in all neo-natal units to be replaced. | |
"Following the tragic death of a baby in Altnagelvin Hospital from a strain of pseudomonas that was held within the taps, guidance was issued following the identification of the source of the virus," she said. | "Following the tragic death of a baby in Altnagelvin Hospital from a strain of pseudomonas that was held within the taps, guidance was issued following the identification of the source of the virus," she said. |
"We now find out that it was the taps within the Royal Jubilee Maternity neo-natal unit that were also the source of the second outbreak which saw three babies die as a result. | "We now find out that it was the taps within the Royal Jubilee Maternity neo-natal unit that were also the source of the second outbreak which saw three babies die as a result. |
"The glaring question is why were the taps not replaced or investigated following the case in Altnagelvin? | "The glaring question is why were the taps not replaced or investigated following the case in Altnagelvin? |
"I am calling, very strongly, for all the taps in all our neo-natal units to be replaced with modern fixtures that will prevent any further outbreaks emanating from this source." | "I am calling, very strongly, for all the taps in all our neo-natal units to be replaced with modern fixtures that will prevent any further outbreaks emanating from this source." |
The unit at the Royal was deep cleaned at the weekend after six babies were found to be infected. | The unit at the Royal was deep cleaned at the weekend after six babies were found to be infected. |
Sterile water is now being used for nappy changing in the neo-natal unit. | Sterile water is now being used for nappy changing in the neo-natal unit. |
The Health Minister, Edwin Poots, has stressed that there is no evidence that the bacterium was in the water system. | The Health Minister, Edwin Poots, has stressed that there is no evidence that the bacterium was in the water system. |
He said all taps and related pipe work in the affected areas of the hospital were being replaced. | He said all taps and related pipe work in the affected areas of the hospital were being replaced. |
New ultraviolet light taps which kill bacteria at source will be introduced in the neo-natal unit as a result of the infection. | New ultraviolet light taps which kill bacteria at source will be introduced in the neo-natal unit as a result of the infection. |
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. |