Pseudomonas detected at Erne

Rodney Edwards • Published 8 Feb 2012 15:38

THE deadly bug Pseudomonas which claimed the lives of four babies in Northern Ireland has been detected in a small number of water outlets in the neonatal unit at the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen.

The Public Health Agency today confirmed the infection had been detected at the Erne, and in the neonatal units at Daisy Hill Hospital and Craigavon Hospital.

Fortunately, no babies in the Erne or the other two hospitals have been infected with the deadly disease.

The discovery was made following an extensive water sampling and tap replacement programme which is being carried out in response to the Pseudomonas outbreak.

It's understood the Western Trust have informed parents of babies currently in the units of the water results.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Public Health Agency reiterated the "robust infection and control measures" which hospitals are required to have in place.

They said as a precautionary measure taps in all neonatal units in Northern Ireland are being replaced and other remedial action will be taken "as required".

And they re-emphasised that babies are not coming into contact with the water supply.

The spokesperson, added: "It is also important that the public continues to follow good hygiene practice when visiting hospitals. In particular, parents of babies in neonatal units must wash and dry their hands thoroughly and use an alcohol rub before they touch the baby or babies' equipment".

It's not known what the implications are of finding Pseudomonas in the water supplies, or what longer-term monitoring is required, added the spokesperson.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Feb 12

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