Babies die after E.coli outbreak

A total of 11 babies are believed to have been infected with the bug

Two babies have died after an outbreak of E.coli at a Bedfordshire hospital.

The premature babies were being cared for in the neo-natal unit at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

Two other babies are being treated for the condition and another seven were known to have it in their systems, but had not developed an infection.

Luton and Dunstable Hospital said it was the first time the strain of E.coli, known as ESBL, had broken out at the hospital.

The drug-resistant bacteria was discovered in the unit at the end of last month.

Its presence was confirmed on 13 October and the hospital stopped accepting new babies to the ward.

Visiting has been restricted to parents who have been told not to come if they are unwell.

A hospital spokeswoman said the bacteria could have contributed to the deaths of the babies, but would not have been the sole cause.