Bug outbreak in newborn baby unit

An MRSA outbreak closed the unit last year for a number of weeks

A potentially life-threatening superbug has been found in the intensive care unit used for newborn babies at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Some babies have been identified as carrying the bug, called extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, or ESBL.

Hospital bosses have said the bug does not pose an immediate risk and the unit remains open to new admissions.

It is the second time in less than a year the Lancashire hospiatal's neonatal unit has been hit by a bug.

The unit was closed from September to October last year after six babies tested positive for a strain of MRSA.

'Staying open'

Rineke Schram, Director of Infection Prevention and Control and Medical Director for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "A very small number of babies have been identified as carrying ESBL and are being treated in accordance with infection-control guidelines.

"Whilst this is not posing an immediate problem to the health of the babies and the unit remains open to new admissions; we are treating the situation seriously as this strain can be resistant to several antibiotics that are commonly used.

"The ESBL organism can live harmlessly in the gut of many people and tends to affect those who have recently been in hospital or those that have received antibiotic treatment.

"Advice is being sought from health professionals at the Health Protection Agency and we will work closely with the families of the babies to ensure they are kept up to date with the situation."

According to the trust, the affected babies, who it says are not seriously ill, are being nursed in isolated areas within the unit.

Other babies within the unit are being screened on a regular basis and the facility has undergone an intensive deep clean.

An inquiry is under way to find the potential source of the organism.