Latest news with #SerratiaMarcescens
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Two babies killed by infection linked to ‘contaminated washing up liquid' in hospital sparking urgent recall
TWO babies have been killed by an infection reportedly linked to their hospital's contaminated dish soap - sparking an urgent recall. The premature tots weighed less than two pounds each when they mysteriously died just hours apart at the San Maurizio Hospital in Italy. 4 4 4 The pair had previously been diagnosed with an infection caused by Serratia marcescens, a deadly germ for those with underlying conditions. Both the babies were born three weeks ago, one the 23rd week of gestation and the other on the 27th. The babies tragically passed away within hours of each other between August 12 and 13. The babies developed sepsis from the fatal infection which was linked to the industrial dish soap at the hospital in Bolzano, about 150 miles south of the Italy-Austria border. The contamination was confirmed by Josef Widmann, the medical director of the South Tyrolean Health Authority. Hospital director Pierpaolo Bertoli said: 'The presence of this bacterium is not unique because it constantly poses a risk to neonatal intensive care units. 'This is not so much because of the type of germ but because of the particular vulnerability of these little patients due to their immature immune systems.' All dish soap used by the Bolanzo hospital system was very quickly removed from the hospital. While the investigation is ongoing, the hospital will not be accepting any more high-risk premature babies, medical director of the hsopital Dr. Monika Zaebisch added. All other cases, in the meantime, will be diverted to hospitals in Trento, a different region nearly 40 miles outside of Bolzano. Woman, 45, becomes second person to die after eating 'toxic broccoli' as 17 others poisoned as veg recalled across Italy Zaebisch added: "At the Bolzano hospital, we have implemented all preventive measures to prevent the transmission of germs. "The ward staff strictly adheres to hygiene measures. Unfortunately, these two cases could not be prevented,' Zaebisch assured. Police have launched a probe into the infants' deaths. Authorities are weighing whether or not to order autopsies on the babies, which will help determine if charges of malpractice could be made. It comes after two people in Italy died after eating a toxic veggie and sausage sandwich in Italy. More than a dozen people were hospitalised after eating the poisoned sandwiches from a food truck near the town of Diamante in Calabria. Tamara D'Acunto, 45, died shortly after eating the panini made with turnip greens - a vegetable similar to broccoli - last week. Luigi Di Sarno, 52, also died after taking a fatal bite from a sandwich bought from the same vendor. In total, 17 other people have so far been hospitalised with food poisoning within 24 to 48 hours of eating the sandwiches. They all showed signs of botulism - an illness linked to the vegetable.
CNN
19 hours ago
- Health
- CNN
Two premature babies die from suspected dish soap contamination in Italy
FacebookTweetLink A criminal investigation has been opened after two premature babies died within hours of each other on the night between August 12th and 13th in the San Maurizio Hospital in the northern Italian city of Bolzano, officials said. The infants, both born three weeks ago—one in the 23rd week of gestation and the other in the 27th week of gestation—were diagnosed with an infection caused by the germ Serratia Marcescens, a common microbe that is dangerous only to people with compromising health conditions. The newborns each weighed about 700 grams (1.54 pounds). The germ has been linked to the dishwashing soap used in the hospital, according to Josef Widmann, the medical director of the South Tyrolean Health Authority, who said in a news conference Thursday that all of the industrial dish soap used by the Bolzano hospital system has been recalled. 'In addition to the serious problems resulting from their extreme prematurity, both children were diagnosed with an infection by Serratia marcescens , a germ widespread in the environment, present in water, soil, plants, animals and humans, among other things,' Widmann said during the news conference. 'This germ is generally harmless to healthy individuals; however, for very premature babies, the infection is potentially lethal.' Dr. Monika Zaebisch, the medical director of the hospital, said that the facility has stopped accepting high-risk premature babies in its neonatal ward during the investigation. The hospital is transferring 10 high-risk babies who were in the same ward as the deceased newborns to a different ward to ensure they are not exposed to any contaminated materials. 'At the Bolzano hospital, we have implemented all preventive measures to prevent the transmission of germs,' Zaebisch said Thursday. 'The ward staff strictly adheres to hygiene measures. Unfortunately, these two cases could not be prevented. On August 12, we decided not to accept any further high-risk births. We have agreed with the Trento hospital that they will accept premature babies so that no child is exposed to risk.' Hospital director Pierpaolo Bertoli said that the infection was identified in both babies when they started exhibiting symptoms. 'Unfortunately, the babies later developed sepsis, which later proved fatal,' he said Thursday. 'The presence of this bacterium is not unique because it constantly poses a risk to neonatal intensive care units, not so much because of the type of germ but because of the particular vulnerability of these little patients due to their immature immune systems.' The National Anti-Corruption Unit of the Carabinieri military police (NAS) is investigating the matter and the Bolzano Public Prosecutor's office will determine whether to order autopsies on the infants to determine if charges of malpractice or manslaughter are warranted. The tragedy comes weeks after three people died of suspected botulism poisoning in the south of the country.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Two premature babies die from suspected dish soap contamination in Italy
Rome — A criminal investigation has been opened after two premature babies died within hours of each other on the night between August 12th and 13th in the San Maurizio Hospital in the northern Italian city of Bolzano, officials said. The infants, both born three weeks ago—one in the 23rd week of gestation and the other in the 27th week of gestation—were diagnosed with an infection caused by the germ Serratia Marcescens, a common microbe that is dangerous only to people with compromising health conditions. The newborns each weighed about 700 grams (1.54 pounds). The germ has been linked to the dishwashing soap used in the hospital, according to Josef Widmann, the medical director of the South Tyrolean Health Authority, who said in a news conference Thursday that all of the industrial dish soap used by the Bolzano hospital system has been recalled. 'In addition to the serious problems resulting from their extreme prematurity, both children were diagnosed with an infection by Serratia marcescens , a germ widespread in the environment, present in water, soil, plants, animals and humans, among other things,' Widmann said during the news conference. 'This germ is generally harmless to healthy individuals; however, for very premature babies, the infection is potentially lethal.' Dr. Monika Zaebisch, the medical director of the hospital, said that the facility has stopped accepting high-risk premature babies in its neonatal ward during the investigation. The hospital is transferring 10 high-risk babies who were in the same ward as the deceased newborns to a different ward to ensure they are not exposed to any contaminated materials. 'At the Bolzano hospital, we have implemented all preventive measures to prevent the transmission of germs,' Zaebisch said Thursday. 'The ward staff strictly adheres to hygiene measures. Unfortunately, these two cases could not be prevented. On August 12, we decided not to accept any further high-risk births. We have agreed with the Trento hospital that they will accept premature babies so that no child is exposed to risk.' Hospital director Pierpaolo Bertoli said that the infection was identified in both babies when they started exhibiting symptoms. 'Unfortunately, the babies later developed sepsis, which later proved fatal,' he said Thursday. 'The presence of this bacterium is not unique because it constantly poses a risk to neonatal intensive care units, not so much because of the type of germ but because of the particular vulnerability of these little patients due to their immature immune systems.' The National Anti-Corruption Unit of the Carabinieri military police (NAS) is investigating the matter and the Bolzano Public Prosecutor's office will determine whether to order autopsies on the infants to determine if charges of malpractice or manslaughter are warranted. The tragedy comes weeks after three people died of suspected botulism poisoning in the south of the country.
CNN
3 days ago
- Health
- CNN
Two premature babies die from suspected dish soap contamination in Italy
FacebookTweetLink A criminal investigation has been opened after two premature babies died within hours of each other on the night between August 12th and 13th in the San Maurizio Hospital in the northern Italian city of Bolzano, officials said. The infants, both born three weeks ago—one in the 23rd week of gestation and the other in the 27th week of gestation—were diagnosed with an infection caused by the germ Serratia Marcescens, a common microbe that is dangerous only to people with compromising health conditions. The newborns each weighed about 700 grams (1.54 pounds). The germ has been linked to the dishwashing soap used in the hospital, according to Josef Widmann, the medical director of the South Tyrolean Health Authority, who said in a news conference Thursday that all of the industrial dish soap used by the Bolzano hospital system has been recalled. 'In addition to the serious problems resulting from their extreme prematurity, both children were diagnosed with an infection by Serratia marcescens , a germ widespread in the environment, present in water, soil, plants, animals and humans, among other things,' Widmann said during the news conference. 'This germ is generally harmless to healthy individuals; however, for very premature babies, the infection is potentially lethal.' Dr. Monika Zaebisch, the medical director of the hospital, said that the facility has stopped accepting high-risk premature babies in its neonatal ward during the investigation. The hospital is transferring 10 high-risk babies who were in the same ward as the deceased newborns to a different ward to ensure they are not exposed to any contaminated materials. 'At the Bolzano hospital, we have implemented all preventive measures to prevent the transmission of germs,' Zaebisch said Thursday. 'The ward staff strictly adheres to hygiene measures. Unfortunately, these two cases could not be prevented. On August 12, we decided not to accept any further high-risk births. We have agreed with the Trento hospital that they will accept premature babies so that no child is exposed to risk.' Hospital director Pierpaolo Bertoli said that the infection was identified in both babies when they started exhibiting symptoms. 'Unfortunately, the babies later developed sepsis, which later proved fatal,' he said Thursday. 'The presence of this bacterium is not unique because it constantly poses a risk to neonatal intensive care units, not so much because of the type of germ but because of the particular vulnerability of these little patients due to their immature immune systems.' The National Anti-Corruption Unit of the Carabinieri military police (NAS) is investigating the matter and the Bolzano Public Prosecutor's office will determine whether to order autopsies on the infants to determine if charges of malpractice or manslaughter are warranted. The tragedy comes weeks after three people died of suspected botulism poisoning in the south of the country.
CNN
3 days ago
- Health
- CNN
Two premature babies die from suspected dish soap contamination in Italy
FacebookTweetLink A criminal investigation has been opened after two premature babies died within hours of each other on the night between August 12th and 13th in the San Maurizio Hospital in the northern Italian city of Bolzano, officials said. The infants, both born three weeks ago—one in the 23rd week of gestation and the other in the 27th week of gestation—were diagnosed with an infection caused by the germ Serratia Marcescens, a common microbe that is dangerous only to people with compromising health conditions. The newborns each weighed about 700 grams (1.54 pounds). The germ has been linked to the dishwashing soap used in the hospital, according to Josef Widmann, the medical director of the South Tyrolean Health Authority, who said in a news conference Thursday that all of the industrial dish soap used by the Bolzano hospital system has been recalled. 'In addition to the serious problems resulting from their extreme prematurity, both children were diagnosed with an infection by Serratia marcescens , a germ widespread in the environment, present in water, soil, plants, animals and humans, among other things,' Widmann said during the news conference. 'This germ is generally harmless to healthy individuals; however, for very premature babies, the infection is potentially lethal.' Dr. Monika Zaebisch, the medical director of the hospital, said that the facility has stopped accepting high-risk premature babies in its neonatal ward during the investigation. The hospital is transferring 10 high-risk babies who were in the same ward as the deceased newborns to a different ward to ensure they are not exposed to any contaminated materials. 'At the Bolzano hospital, we have implemented all preventive measures to prevent the transmission of germs,' Zaebisch said Thursday. 'The ward staff strictly adheres to hygiene measures. Unfortunately, these two cases could not be prevented. On August 12, we decided not to accept any further high-risk births. We have agreed with the Trento hospital that they will accept premature babies so that no child is exposed to risk.' Hospital director Pierpaolo Bertoli said that the infection was identified in both babies when they started exhibiting symptoms. 'Unfortunately, the babies later developed sepsis, which later proved fatal,' he said Thursday. 'The presence of this bacterium is not unique because it constantly poses a risk to neonatal intensive care units, not so much because of the type of germ but because of the particular vulnerability of these little patients due to their immature immune systems.' The National Anti-Corruption Unit of the Carabinieri military police (NAS) is investigating the matter and the Bolzano Public Prosecutor's office will determine whether to order autopsies on the infants to determine if charges of malpractice or manslaughter are warranted. The tragedy comes weeks after three people died of suspected botulism poisoning in the south of the country.
