Three more babies are diagnosed with deadly disease not seen for 20 YEARS - sparking fears of a widespread outbreak
- The potentially deadly bacteria has infected a total of eight newborn babies
- One is in a critical condition and authorities have apologised to the parents
- The infection can cause urinary and respiratory issues and lead to pneumonia
- More than 40 babies have been tested in the neonatal ward at an SA hospital
Three more babies have been struck down with a deadly bacteria that hasn't been seen for 20 years.
At least eight babies in the neonatal unit at the Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide have tested positive to the rare bacterial infection Serratia Marcescens.
The first case of the pathogen seen in the hospital in two decades, it can cause urinary and respiratory issues potentially leading to pneumonia and sepsis.
A baby was isolated and treated with antibiotics when the first case was confirmed on May 18, and made a full recovery.
While the infant's bed was disinfected and all other patients were diverted to surrounding hospitals, a second baby tested positive two weeks on May 30 later after it was placed in the same bed.
An infant's bed in the neonatal unit at the Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide (pictured) where eight babies have contracted a deadly disease
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The child is in a serious but stable condition after being transferred to another hospital, 9 News reported.
Dr Diana Lawrence from South Australia's Health said all 40 babies in the unit have been tested for the deadly pathogen.
'We feel very confident that it's actually contained - it was in a small part of our unit, and I've apologised to the parents of the second baby,' she said in a press conference.
'They're very distressed - their baby is unwell and our priority is the care of all our babies.'
Six more infants tested positive but are asymptomatic.
Six infants have tested positive for the bacterial infection but are asymptomatic (pictured, a baby in the neonatal ward at the hospital)
About 200 environmental tests swabs were taken in the ward to determine the origin of the infection - which was found in a sink (pictured, the neonatal unit at Flinders Medical Centre)
About 200 environmental tests swabs were taken in the ward to determine the origin of the infection - which was found in a sink.
The sink has been removed and the area has been closed off to the rest of the hospital.
Dr Lawrence said an internal investigation is now underway at the hospital following the diagnoses.
'We are taking all measures possible to prevent further cases and to maintain the safety of the babies within the unit,' she said.
'We will continue to test and screen babies in the unit and our staff will be wearing gloves and yellow gowns as an extra precaution when providing care to babies.'
New admissions are also being minimised to avoid the spread of infection, with non-urgent cases being diverted to the Women's and Children's Hospital.
As per COVID-19 guidelines, visiting rights in the ward are restricted to parents only.
As per COVID-19 guidelines, visiting rights int he ward are restricted to parents only at Flinders Medical Centre (pictured)
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