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Bug kills two babies at University Hospital of North Staffordshire Bug kills two babies at University Hospital of North Staffordshire
(35 minutes later)
Two premature babies died at a Staffordshire hospital as a result of a rare bug, it has emerged. Two premature babies died at a Staffordshire hospital as a result of an infection, it has emerged.
A third baby is still in isolation after the outbreak at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS).A third baby is still in isolation after the outbreak at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS).
The Serratia Marcescens infection closed the unit for two weeks in July, but details were only revealed at a hospital meeting on Wednesday. The serratia marcescens bug shut the unit to new admissions for two weeks in July, but details were only revealed at a hospital meeting on Wednesday.
The infection spread to four other premature babies who have recovered.The infection spread to four other premature babies who have recovered.
Julia Bridgewater, UHNS NHS Trust chief executive, said: "The trust identified an infection in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in July, Serratia Marcescens, that can affect babies born extremely premature. The hospital in Stoke-on-Trent said parents whose babies had been discharged from the unit had "no need to worry".
"Sadly, two babies who died, both born before 28 weeks, had this uncommon infection, and post mortems confirmed Serratia Marcescens as the cause of death." Julia Bridgewater, UHNS NHS Trust chief executive, said: "The trust identified an infection in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in July, serratia marcescens, that can affect babies born extremely premature.
"Sadly, two babies who died, both born before 28 weeks, had this uncommon infection, and post mortems confirmed serratia marcescens as the cause of death."
Weekly screenings
She said the families of the two babies were informed at the time of the infection.She said the families of the two babies were informed at the time of the infection.
"The trust would like to offer its sincere condolences to those families who have lost a baby," she added."The trust would like to offer its sincere condolences to those families who have lost a baby," she added.
Jeorge Orendi, consultant microbiologist, said: "As a precaution the trust temporarily closed NICU to new admissions and the five other babies who were carrying the organism, but were not unwell, were isolated." Jeorge Orendi, consultant microbiologist, said: "As a precaution the trust temporarily closed NICU to new admissions, and the five other babies who were carrying the organism, but were not unwell, were isolated."
Mr Orendi said after the outbreak the trust "reviewed infection prevention practice immediately" with the help of the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
The trust also carried out a deep clean of the unit.
Serratia marcescens is an organism that occurs naturally in the gut.
To have it on or in the body is not uncommon or harmful in healthy people. However, in cases where people are vulnerable to infection, such as premature babies, the organism can cause serious infection.
Mr Orendi added that the hospital had been carrying out weekly screenings for the infection.
"There have been no new cases of infection or of babies carrying the organism since the initial cases were first identified in July," he said.
"All the families with babies on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the time that the infection was identified were kept fully informed."