by Louise-Anne Geddes, Mindful Mum, 23rd January 2012

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) set up a telephone helpline over the weekend for anyone with concerns regarding the outbreak.  However, an announcement was made today that none of the 24 babies at the neo-natal unit show any signs of the ‘active’ infection.  Five babies are being monitored for signs of the infection on their skin, although it is stressed that this is not an ‘active’ infection.

Background

The Department of Health for Northern Ireland updated on Friday that:

• Three babies have died
• One baby is undergoing treatment
• Two babies have been treated and have already recovered
• Another baby recovered but died of unrelated causes

The Irish Health Minister, Edwin Poots said:

“It is desperately sad when a baby dies and my thoughts and sympathies are with the families of all three babies…Babies in neonatal units are already vulnerable due to clinical conditions and varying degrees of prematurity. This makes them less able to withstand infections including those that would not cause problems in healthy babies. I have asked the trust to work with the Public Health Agency to ensure all necessary steps are swiftly taken to identify the source of the infection so that we contain it and reduce further risk of spreading”.

According to the BHSCT, admission to the neonatal unit at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Service is being restricted. Admission to the general delivery wards and other services continue to operate as normal.  Information is being updated and transmitted as received.

Source:
Belfast Health Care and Social Trust, Helpline set up for Neonatal Outbreak, 20^th January 2012

Democratic Unionist Party News Release, Health Minister statement on 3rd baby death,  20^th January 2012

Photography: ASCOM Prefeitura de Votuporanga @Flickr