Tel Aviv hospital isolates 4 babies carrying deadly bacteria
A new mother, her newborns and 2 other preemies found to have CRE bacteria, although none have fallen ill
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A deadly bacteria has been discovered in four premature babies and a new mother at a Tel Aviv hospital, media reported Wednesday. All five were isolated from other patients.
The CRE (Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae) was discovered in a woman who had just given birth to twins at the Ichilov Hospital, the Ynet news site reported.
The bacteria was then subsequently discovered in her two babies and two other newborns in the premature baby ward.
CRE is a bacteria that is frequently found in hospitals and very difficult to treat as it is resistant to most antibiotics. It can be fatal in up to 50 percent of people who become infected, according to the US Center for Disease Control.
The hospital said that while all five patients were found to be carrying the bacteria, none of them had become ill. No other cases were discovered in the hospital.
“All of us carry bacteria in our intestines, but this bacteria that was found among the premature babies is known to be antibiotic resistant,” Professor Dror Mandel, the director of the hospital’s neonatal unit, told the Walla news website. “It’s important to clarify that none of the babies are sick; they are just carrying.”
“By isolating and treating the premature babies we ensured that no other baby was infected and we hope that we have stopped the spread of the bacteria,” Mandel said.
The Times of Israel Community.