Klebsiella outbreak claims another life
A sixth baby has died from Klebsiella outbreak at the Thelle Mogoerane in Vosloorus on the East Rand.
The infant died on Tuesday morning.
The hospital’s acting CEO, Dr Jatin Ganda, says the facility has been struggling with Klebsiella, which causes pneumonia and meningitis.
“In this scenario this particular organism or bacteria is resistant to most antibiotics and this is why we have had difficulty in maintaining and the reason why we have had mortalities which are very sad and unfortunate.
“In total we've had twelve babies that we have found the bacteria in the blood in other words, blood culture positive.
“From those twelve babies we still have three babies in our unit on treatment and are in a clinically stable condition. Three babies have done well and have been discharged sadly six of the twelve have passed away,” he says.
The hospital has subsequently put in place stringent measures to try and make sure that no more lives are lost.
“The measures put in place are stringent infection control which encompasses sterilisation, barrier nursing in terms of caps and gowns when dealing with patients. We have also segregated the exposed babies from brand new admissions, so we are currently holding 51 babies which have been exposed so they are in an area which is segregated physically and through human contact. The staff is dedicated to the different areas as well,” adds Ganda.
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