Latest news with #SouthTyroleanHealthAuthority
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Babies die from infection linked to contaminated dish soap at Italian hospital
San Maurizo Hospital in Italy has been blocked from treating premature babies as an investigation continues into the deaths of two infants. They contracted sepsis after picking up a deadly bacteria Two infants being treated at the same hospital died just hours apart after contracting an infection linked to contaminated washing up liquid. The babies, who were both premature, tragically passed away at the San Maurizio Hospital in Italy. The tiny babies had earlier been diagnosed with an infection caused by Serratia marcescens, a bacteria that causes infections such as UTIs and pneumonia. It is known to easily spread in hospitals. In this case, they both developed sepsis. The little patients, who were born three weeks ago, weighed less than two pounds each at the time of their deaths. One of them was born on the 23rd week of gestation, while the other was welcomed on the 27th. They sadly passed away on August 12 and August 13. Their infection is suspected to be linked to the industrial dish soap which is used at the hospital in Bolzano. Josef Widmann, the medical director of the South Tyrolean Health Authority, confirmed there was concerns surrounding the soap. Hospital director Pierpaolo Bertoli commented: '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.' The hospital is no longer welcoming high-risk premature babies at this time, reports New York Post. Any premature babies who were already at the hospital have been transferred. Zaebisch continued: "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." A police investigation is underway. Symptoms and signs of Serratia marcescens Fever Fatigue Chills Shortness of breath Cough with mucus Eye irritation Stuggle with urinating Headache Stiff neck Light sensitivity How to look out for Sepsis in babies Blue, grey or pale skin Difficulty breathing A rash which doesn't fade High-pitched cry Lack of interest in feeding or normal activities
CNN
a day 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.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
2 premature babies die from infection linked to suspected dish soap contamination at Italy hospital as director warns ‘not unique' issue
Two premature babies weighing less than two pounds died last week after contracting infections officials believe came from contaminated dish soap at the Italian hospital where they were being treated. The two infants, born at 23 weeks and 27 weeks of gestation, respectively, were diagnosed with an infection spurred by Serratia marcescens, a common germ that can prove fatal to those with precarious health conditions. 4 Two infants died at a hospital in Italy after contracting infections linked to contaminated dish soap. South Tyrolean Health Service Both babies died between Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 after developing sepsis from the infection at the San Maurizio Hospital in Bolzano, just 150 miles south of the Italy-Austria border. They weighed about a pound and a half each. The germ was linked to the industrial dishwashing soap used at the hospital, which was all swiftly recalled, Josef Widmann, the medical director of the South Tyrolean Health Authority, said at a news conference, according to the local outlet L'Unione Sarda. 4 The babies were diagnosed with an infection spurred by Serratia marcescens, a common bacterium that can be fatal to at-risk newborns. Dr_Microbe – '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,' Hospital director Pierpaolo Bertoli said. All dish soap used by the Bolanzo hospital system was swiftly recalled, Widmann said. The hospital will also not be accepting any other high-risk premature babies into its system for treatment while the investigation is ongoing, Dr. Monika Zaebisch, the medical director of the hospital, said. 4 The San Maurizio Hospital in Bolzano, Italy will not be treating any more high-risk infant patients in its neonatal ward until the investigation concludes. South Tyrolean Health Service All other cases, in the meantime, will be diverted to hospitals in Trento, a different province nearly 40 miles outside of Bolzano. The remaining 10 infants in the neonatal ward were taken to a different wing to ensure they weren't exposed to any other contaminated materials, Zaebisch said. 4 The infants' infections lead them to become septic and die. South Tyrolean Health Service '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. Italy's National Anti-Corruption Unit of the Carabinieri military police launched an investigation into the infants' deaths. The Bolanzo Public Prosecutor's office will weigh whether or not to order autopsies on the small infants, which could help determine if their deaths warrant charges of malpractice. The confounding infections came just a week after a toxic botulism outbreak killed two and hospitalized 14 people, including two teenagers, who all ordered sandwiches from the same food truck in southwest Italy.
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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Two premature babies die from suspected dish soap contamination in Italy
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.
