Two babies die after contracting blood infection at neonatal unit in Glasgow

Two premature babies have died after their bloodstreams became infected at a hospital neonatal unit.

A third is in a stable condition after contracting the Staphylococcus aureus infection at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow.

An incident management team (IMT) of specialists was set up on 24 January to investigate the deaths.

The local NHS health board said the two who died were "extremely poorly" and infection was "one of a number of contributing causes".

Dr Barbara Weinhardt, infection control doctor, said "control measures" had been taken, "including a deep clean, isolation and barrier nursing, safety briefs to all staff and infection control advice to all visitors".

She added: "Results have today confirmed that the three cases of Staphylococcus aureus are linked and our investigations continue into how they are linked.

"Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that is found on the skin and in the nasal passage of around one in four people and only causes infection when it enters the body.

"In cases where people are vulnerable to infection, it can cause serious infection."

An IMT is made up of specialist clinicians, occupational health clinicians, infection control doctors and nurses, and staff from estates and facilities.

"Our infection control team continues to work closely with clinical colleagues and domestic staff to manage the situation and take all necessary steps to maintain patient safety," said Dr Alan Mathers, chief of medicine, women's and children's services.

The deaths come after the Scottish health secretary, Jeane Freeman, said last week that a fungal infection linked to pigeon droppings was a "contributing factor" in the death of a 10-year-old boy at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University hospital.

Prosecutors are investigating the incident as well as the death of a 73-year-old woman who also contracted the cryptococcus infection.