Two Babies Die After E.coli Infection

Two babies have died of an E.coli infection in south Wales - one in hospital and one in the community, health officials have confirmed.

The cases are under investigation at Singleton Hospital in Swansea.

One of the babies was "very premature" and died in hospital.

The second case involved a baby who died in the community but whose mother is suspected of contracting the infection at the hospital.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University Health Board runs the hospital and is investigating both cases of ESBL E.coli cross-infection in the hospital's maternity/neonatal unit, supported by Public Health Wales.

Dr Bruce Ferguson, medical director, ABM University Health Board, said: "These appear to be isolated incidents which have been contained, and there is no evidence of the infection spreading further."

Health chiefs at the hospital stressed today that ESBL E.coli is not the same as E.coli O157 which causes food poisoning.

In most people ESBL E.coli does not cause harm but in vulnerable individuals it can cause serious infections.

Action has been taken by hospital chiefs to restrict use of the unit to full-term babies.

Mr Ferguson said the unit has "an excellent record for hand-hygiene and general infection control adherence". Reported infection levels have also been below the national average in recent years.

The health board would not provide exact dates for the incidents but said they had taken place within the last month.

E.coli can lead to serious infections such as blood poisoning, which can be life threatening.

Any concerned mothers-to-be are advised to speak to their midwife first but a helpline has also been set up - 0774 761 5627 .