Babies moved after superbug outbreak

Four newborn babies and four of their caregivers developed symptoms of a superbug in a hospital neonatal unit, following an outbreak that affected 24 babies, 12 mothers and some staff.

None of the infants or caregivers died during the outbreak of antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA at Waikato Hospital’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in late August but at least eight of the group showed symptoms and had to be isolated.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, can be a deadly infection. It is caused by bacteria on the skin and can lead to life-threatening conditions such as infection of the bloodstream or other organs, and sepsis.

Waikato District Health Board says an internal investigation found some of the babies had the bacteria on their skin before arriving at the hospital.

Waikato DHB hospital and community services executive director Sue Hayward told a hospital advisory committee in late September several babies had to be moved from the unit because of the superbug.

At that time only five babies remained in the NICU, which provides treatment to a range of premature babies with different needs along with full-term infants born with serious conditions or injuries.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria found on the skin of about one-third of healthy people. It is transmitted through contact and is generally harmless but some strains can develop resistance to common antibiotics used to treat skin or wound infections – which is then called MRSA. The DHB said that infants with MRSA on their skin, known as colonisation, generally do not get sick, with the bacteria eliminated naturally over time in most cases.

‘‘During the outbreak the hospital identified 24 babies and 12 mothers who were positive for the bacteria, with further investigation indicating that some babies had been colonised prior to arriving at Waikato Hospital.

‘‘Four infants and four caregivers showed signs of the bacteria and all were successfully treated.

‘‘Infants who tested positive were isolated. A number of staff also tested positive and were provided decolonisation treatment.’’

The DHB said the outbreak ended after eight weeks of no new positive cases identified, on November 10.