MRSA Outbreak Contributed to Baby Deaths

12.09.2018

An outbreak of the MRSA superbug in the neonatal intensive care unit at Dublin’s Rotunda hospital contributed to the severity of illness suffered by two babies who later died. The outbreak struck from February to April in the cramped and outdated hospital building. It was the eleventh infectious outbreak in the unit over two years.

Six infants were affected by MRSA and two died as a result of the complications of being born very premature. However, MRSA played a role in the severity of their illness.

The hospital has an enhanced screening system in place to identify babies who are affected and need to be isolated.

The unit has undergone a €2.1million revamp, but this did not provide additional space which is the biggest problem in reducing the spread of infection, said a spokeswoman.

Irish Independent. July 20.