Seven babies have died in four days from a bacterial infection at the Port of Spain General Hospital in Trinidad, according to the island’s health authorities.
The Port of Spain General Hospital is the main health care facility in the Trinidad capital.
The outbreak occurred at the neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital, according to a release from the country’s North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA), responsible for the hospital’s management.
In a statement on Thursday night, the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) said the deaths occurred during the period April 4 -7.
“It is with profound sadness that the NWRHA confirms that during this time, some of the very premature neonatal babies at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Port of Spain General Hospital succumbed to the infection.
“Laboratory investigations revealed the presence of three different organisms — serratia marcesens, ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella aerogenes — all known to pose significant risks to vulnerable neonates.
“Despite administering high-dose antibiotics and providing advanced and intensive cardio-respiratory support, the infection claimed the lives of some of these preterm babies, all weighing under 1500 grams and less than 32 weeks gestational age.”
The NWRHA said that the medical team, recognizing the severity of the situation, immediately initiated infectious diseases and control protocols for the treatment of late-onset neonatal sepsis, a condition known for its rapid onset and potentially devastating consequences.
The ward has been sprayed and the outbreak is contained, said the NWRHA.
“In response to this heartbreaking situation, the NICU was immediately closed to new admissions to prevent further transmission of the infection and healthy babies were discharged.
“Since April 7th, no new infection has been reported, indicating the effectiveness of these internal measures in halting the spread of the bacteria,” the NWRHA said.
The NWRHA, extending condolences “to the families who are dealing with this tragic loss,” said all parents have been referred to its medical social work department for bereavement counseling.
