Bacteria linked to baby deaths found on four more infants
FOUR babies have been found with bacteria connected to an outbreak that led to the deaths of two infants in Glasgow.
The children were all confirmed as contracting a strain of the staphylococcus aureus bacterium at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital.
Health chiefs have said the bug is on the children’s skin, and is not making them ill. However, it has so far proven resistant to antibiotics.
The previous two deaths occurred at the same hospital in January, and led to calls from the Scottish Conservatives to improve hygiene across the city’s hospitals.
The health board said the latest outbreak is the first time this particular strain of the bacteria had been identified in Scotland.
Previous cases have been picked up in only two other countries worldwide.
A board spokesman said: “As part of our rigorous management of three cases of staphylococcus aureus infection at the PRMH, we have identified this is an extremely rare strain that is highly resistant to the two antibiotics normally prescribed for S. Aureus.
“It is also resistant to the skin cleaning agent routinely used in hospitals across the UK.
“We have continued to screen babies in our three neonatal units and there have been no further cases of infection.
“None of these babies are infected and none need treatment for S. Aureus.”