Klebsiella outbreak in PMH neonatal ward

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Saturday January 13, 2018 07:00

 

According to PMH chief communications and public relations officer Donnell Kutlapye, the outbreak occurred at a neonatal unit (premature unit) where they recorded their first five cases at the end of December last year.

So far, the hospital has recorded 10 cases, with seven babies stable and isolated while three were in neonatal ICU but stable. He said from the seven babies that were isolated, two had been cleared of the disease.

“The hospital has therefore set up teams to eradicate the condition with immediate effect through robust infection control measures. We have started fumigating the cubicles, strengthening hand hygiene among staff members including mothers. We are emphasising hand hygiene where we advised mothers to use hand sanitisers and not to give their babies to other nursing mothers. We also advise nursing mothers not to exchange cords,” he said.

The infected babies were said to be on treatment and all the required medicine is said to be available. 

The hospital further explained that it resolved that all stable neonates from referring health facilities would be redirected to nearby hospitals with paediatrician such as Deborah Memorial Hospital, Scottish Livingstone Hospital, Athlone and Seventh Day Adventist Hospitals. 

He said the ward admitted 34 babies on Monday where 13 were discharged this week. The discharged babies are said to have not contacted the disease. It currently has 21 babies. 

“We are monitoring the situation. Parents of the infected babies have been informed of their condition,” Kutlapye said 

He explained that Klebsiella infections refer to several different types of healthcare-associated infections that are all caused by Klebsiella bacteria including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections and meningitis. 

The disease is a bacterium that causes respiratory, urinary, and wound infections.

Its symptoms include fever and chills, flu-like symptoms, cough that may produce mucus that is yellow, green or bloody and breathing issues.