An outbreak of a potentially serious infectious disease has been confirmed at a neonatal intensive care unit in Limerick.
Some of the infants in the unit at University Maternity Hospital Limerick have contracted pseudomonas, a hospital-acquired infection that can be resistant to antibiotics.
The HSE Mid-West confirmed it is managing an outbreak, and a multidisciplinary team has been put in place to deal with it.
While confirming a number of infants in the unit have contracted the infection, the HSE said none have had adverse outcomes.
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Infants that have been discharged from hospital have been “doing well, with no reported clinical concerns identified”, it said. The HSE added: “There have been no adverse outcomes to date.
“All affected infants have been and continue to be closely monitored by specialist clinical teams and appropriate care is in place.”
The neonatal intensive care unit remains open to admissions and staff are engaging directly with all families whose babies are currently in the unit.
The HSE said it has set up a multidisciplinary team with specialist colleagues in neonatology, microbiology, obstetrics, public health, neonatal nursing and infection prevention and control.
“The multidisciplinary team continues to monitor the situation closely and will take any further actions necessary to ensure the continued safety of patients,” the HSE added.
