Neonatal intensive care unit closed after bacterial outbreak

SPAIN’S Ministry of Health has closed the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital in Madrid after 51 babies were affected by a bacterial outbreak.

Of the 51 babies affected by the Serratia marcescens bacteria at the La Paz hospital 27 have developed some infection while the remainder are carriers but not developed any infection.

Most babies have now been allowed home but eleven remain in isolation.

Serratia marcescens is implicated in a wide range of serious infections including pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, bloodstream infection, wound infection and meningitis.