3 Babies dead after infection at Belfast hospital

On Thursday, it was revealed that two babies had died at the Royal Maternity Hospital after an outbreak of an infection called pseudomonas. The Belfast Trust said the deaths, in the neonatal unit, may be linked to the outbreak. Admission to the unit is being restricted. The bacteria can cause infections in the chest, blood, and urine. There are currently 25 babies in the unit, which cares for ill or premature babies. Consultant Clifford Mayes, who works in the neo-natal unit, said he appreciated that this was an "extremely difficult" time for parents of children in the unit. He said efforts were under way to identify the source of the pseudomonas infection. "It in itself it is not infectious, but because it exists in water or where things are moist, what we are having to do is investigate very thoroughly the unit itself in efforts to try and identify a source," said Mr Mayes. "It's a bacteria that can survive in moist conditions. "Patients can carry it on their skin and not be affected, or they can develop problems with chest infections or bloodstream infections. "The population of the unit are often extremely premature, very small babies and therefore they are very vulnerable." Reduce risk The health minister said identifying the source was a priority. Edwin Poots added: "This is a serious incident. "I have asked the trust to work with the Public Health Agency to ensure all necessary steps are swiftly taken to identify the source of the infection so that we contain it and reduce the risk of spreading. " The deaths occurred in the last week to 10 days, but a possible link to the bacteria was only discovered recently. All babies in the unit are being tested for the infection and those found to be clear of it will be treated in a different part of the hospital. There are also provisions to move babies to other neo-natal units in Northern Ireland. Any moves will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Mothers who are expected to need the unit after the birth of their babies will possibly be sent to different hospitals. Mr Mayes said the infection was only affecting the neo-natal unit and that the hospital's delivery suite was operating normally.