Baby dies as bug strikes hospital

A baby has died and six others are in an isolation ward after an infection struck at the neo-natal unit of a Birmingham hospital.

The baby was born prematurely at Heartlands Hospital almost two weeks ago and was one of two to become infected with Serratia bacteria.

A hospital spokeswoman said staff were hopeful the second baby would go home "in the next few weeks".

Five other babies have tested positive for the bacteria on their skin.

They have been put in a six-cot isolation unit as a "precaution", the spokeswoman added.

SERRATIA

• Serratia are bacteria that live harmlessly in the gut of many people, they are part of the Enterobacteriaceae family
• They cause much fewer problems for hospitals than the high profile C difficile and MRSA infections
• They pose a risk to only the most ill patients with weakened immune systems and problems are, therefore, more common in the elderly
• Where problems do occur, these are normally urinary tract infections, wound infections, pneumonia and blood poisoning
• The infections can normally be treated with antibiotics, although there are increasing reports of resistance
• Infection outbreaks are best avoided by adopting good hygiene practices and through the sterilisation of equipment, experts say

Hospital director Lisa Dunn said: "Two extremely pre-term babies were infected with the bacteria: very sadly one baby died.

"The second baby is doing very well and should be going home in a few weeks' time."

She said that Serratia appeared in neo natal units "from time to time" and could be controlled by restricting the spread of the infection.

The intensive care room has been closed to new admissions as a result but is expected to reopen this week, she added.

Serratia can cause blood infections and respiratory problems.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said the five babies who tested positive were not "infected" because the bug had not had chance to enter their bodies.

She added that the identity of the baby who died, and the dates of its birth and death, could not be revealed because of confidentiality issues.

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